The 2012 London Olympics are still nearly one year away, but the leaders of USA Basketball plan to begin putting together its roster within the next month.
London Olympics 2012: USA Basketball To Begin Contacting Players
Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of USA Basketball and former owner of the Phoenix Suns, told the Associated Press that he plans to contact candidates within the next month to see if they would be interested in defending the team's gold medals won in the 2008 Olympics.
“Just to make contact with all of the people on our list, give them a whole picture of what is coming,” Colangelo told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “Basically to get a read from them as to what their interests and intentions are in advance.”
The entire 2008 roster had originally committed to playing through the 2012 Olympics, but Colangelo noted in the interview that “circumstances have changed for some of the players who were on the Olympic team.”
“I’m really not worried about (anyone) not being available. If someone chooses not to play, that’s one thing,” Colangelo said. “The one thing I do know, we have an outstanding pool of players. Whoever the 12 turn out to be, they will represent our country very well.”
If some of the previous roster's players don't play due to outside circumstances -- Kobe Bryant's knee issues, the Miami Heat trio being tired from potential back-to-back NBA Finals appearances, free agency for Deron Williams, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul -- there is a decent core that played in the 2010 Worlds available for Colangelo to choose from including Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups and Blake Griffin.
Since USA Basketball won the 2010 Worlds, they won't have to again qualify this summer, making the deadline for the 2012 roster June 18 of next year.
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