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US Names Seven NBA Stars for 2002 Basketball World Championships
Three Olympic gold medalists were named among the seven NBA standouts to form the nucleus of the 12-member US team for the Basketball World Championships slated on August 29-September 8, 2002 in Indianapolis, the United States.
Olympic champions Ray Allen of Milwaukee Bucks, Jason Kidd of New Jersey Nets and Reggie Miller of Indiana Pacers will head the US team for the FIBA World Championships together with NBA All-Star Antonio Davis of Toronto Raptors and Michael Finley of Dallas Mavericks, Shawn Marion of Phoenix Suns, Jermaine O'Neal of Indiana Pacers.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach George Karl was announced on October 9 head coach of the US team for the Championships to be held in Indiana.
"These seven players represent some of the top talent in the NBA and the team possesses tremendous versatility and athleticism," said USA Basketball president Tom Jernstedt.
"This is the first time that the World Championships are on United States soil and this competition has become so important, not only to us, but to everyone in the sport of basketball around the world," said Stu Jackson, chair of USA Basketball's Senior Men's National Team Committee.
"Versatility is probably my favorite coaching weapon, and the talents of this group are incredible," said head coach Karl, "We can play fast, we can play big. We can put a team of shooters on the floor. We'll be able to throw different looks out there as well. And it will be fun having so many different ways to play of the game of basketball."
The United States owns a 91-23 overall record in World Championship play and has won three golds, three silvers and three bronzes in the 13 previous FIBA World Championships that were first played in 1950.
However, the United States finished 7-2 for the bronze medal in the 1998 edition in Greece after fielding a team comprised of collegians and professional players.
Sixteen teams qualify for the Championships, namely Angola, Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, China, Lebanon, Yugoslavia, Turkey, Spain, Germany, Russia, New Zealand and the hosts.
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