InsideHoops.com provides USA Basketball information, features and complete game recaps. This is the home page for USA basketball roster, news, competition.
The senior men's USA Basketball team's next big competition is in 2008 Olympic Basketball. China is the host country and the Olympics will be in Beijing. The dates are August 8-24, 2008. The arena is Wukesong Indoor Stadium. There are 12 teams competing. Opening ceremonies are August 8.
COUNTRIES QUALIFYING FOR THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES MEN’S BASKETBALL COMPETITION
1. CHINA (Host Country)
2. SPAIN (2006 FIBA World Champion)
3. ANGOLA (FIBA Africa Zone Champion
4. USA (FIBA Americas Zone Champion)
5. ARGENTINA (FIBA Americas Zone Runner-up)
6. IRAN (FIBA Asia Zone Champion)
7. RUSSIA (FIBA Europe Zone Champion)
8. LITHUANIA (FIBA Europe Third Place Finisher)
9. AUSTRALIA (FIBA Oceania Zone Champion)
10. 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament Champion
11. 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament Runner-up
12. 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament Third Place Finisher
CURRENT TEAM USA BASKETBALL ROSTER
(From these players, 12 will be be picked to make up the final roster)
NAME
POS
HGT
WGT
DOB
CURRENT TEAM / COLLEGE or HIGH SCHOOL
Carmelo Anthony
F
6-8
230
5/29/84
Denver Nuggets / Syracuse
Gilbert Arenas
G
6-4
210
1/06/82
Washington Wizards / Arizona
Shane Battier
F
6-8
220
9/09/78
Houston Rockets / Duke
Chauncey Billups
G
6-3
202
9/25/76
Detroit Pistons / Colorado
Carlos Boozer
F
6-9
258
11/20/81
Utah Jazz / Duke
Chris Bosh
F
6-10
230
3/24/84
Toronto Raptors / Georgia Tech
Bruce Bowen
F
6-7
200
6/14/71
San Antonio Spurs / Cal State Fullerton
Elton Brand
F
6-8
254
3/11/79
Los Angeles Clippers / Duke
Kobe Bryant
G
6-6
220
8/23/78
Los Angeles Lakers / Lower Merion High School (PA)
Tyson Chandler
C
7-1
225
10/02/82
New Orleans Hornets / Dominguez High School (CA)
Nick Collison
F
6-10
255
10/26/80
Seattle SuperSonics / University of Kansas
Kevin Durant
G
6-9
220
9/29/88
Seattle SuperSonics / University of Texas
Kirk Hinrich
G
6-3
190
1/02/81
Chicago Bulls / Kansas
Dwight Howard
F/C
6-11
265
12/08/85
Orlando Magic / Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy
LeBron James
F
6-8
240
12/30/84
Cleveland Cavaliers / St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (OH)
Director of International Player Personnel:Tony Ronzone, Detroit Pistons
RECENT 12-MAN ROSTER: SUMMER OF 2007
The most recent Senior Men's USA Basketball competition was in the summer of 2007 in the FIBA Americas Championship (Olympic Qualifier). The 12 players who were active and played for Team USA in that tournament were:
Guards: Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Chauncey Billups, Michael Redd, Deron Williams, Mike Miller
Forwards: LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Tayshaun Prince
OUR USA BASKETBALL PAGE IS BEING RE-ORGANIZED AND RE-LAUNCHED IN MID DECEMBER OF 2007. CHECK BACK.
ABOUT USA BASKETBALL
USA Basketball themselves say: Based in Colorado Springs, Colo., USA Basketball is a non-profit organization and the national governing body for men's and women's basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the United States by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA teams that compete in FIBA sponsored international basketball competitions, as well as for some national competitions.
Actually, USA Basketball is an organization made up of associations. Current USA Basketball active members include the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU); Continental Basketball Association (CBA); National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC); National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); National Basketball Association (NBA); National Basketball Association Development League; National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA); National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS); National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA); National Pro-Am City League Association (NPACLA); National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA); United States Armed Forces; USA Deaf Sports Federation (USADSF); Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA); and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). These 15 member organizations have representation on USA Basketball's Board of Directors and various committees, and ultimately determine how USA Basketball operates.
USA Basketball was organized in 1974 and known as the Amateur Basketball Association of the United States of America (ABAUSA). The name change to USA Basketball occurred Oct. 12, 1989, shortly after FIBA modified its rules to allow professional basketball players to participate in international competitions. USA Basketball then admitted the NBA as an active member and made the change.
THE KEY TOURNAMENTS USA BASKETBALL PLAYS IN
Credit the following to USA Basketball
Olympic Games: Men's and women's Olympic basketball competition is held every four years (2008, 2012, etc.). The USA men have captured the gold in 12 of the 15 Olympics and compiled an incredible 114-5 record, while the USA women have earned the gold in five of the past six Olympics and overall boast of a sterling 42-3 record. Beijing, China, is the site of the 2008 Games.
FIBA World Championships: Men's and women's competition is held every four years at the FIBA World Championships (2006, 2010, etc.). Unlike the Olympics at which 12 teams participate, 24 countries compete in the World Championship for Men and 16 teams participate in the World Championship for Women. In basketball circles, the World Championship title is considered as prestigious as the Olympic title. The USA women successfully defended the gold medal after finishing a perfect 9-0 in China in 2002, while the USA men finished third with an 8-1 record in the 2006 World Championship in Japan. The next World Championship competition is scheduled for 2010 in Turkey for the men, and in 2010 at a site TBA for the women.
U21 FIBA World Championships: Initiated in 1993 as the FIBA 22 And Under World Championship and originally designed for men 22-years-old or younger, FIBA lowered the age eligibility to 21 years of age or younger in December 1998 and the competition is now known as the FIBA U21 World Championship. The USA men captured gold in 2001 with a perfect 8-0 record and finished in fifth place in 2005 with a 7-1 mark. FIBA in 2003 initiated a women’s U21 World Championship and the USA women claimed the gold, finishing 7-1 in Sibenik, Croatia. The next FIBA U21 World Championship for women is scheduled for 2007. The U21 competition is being eliminated from the schedule by FIBA after 2007. The selections of the players and coaches are made by the USA Basketball Collegiate Committees.
Pan American Games: Started in 1951 for men and 1955 for women, the Pan American Games are held every four years (2007, 2011, etc.) in the year preceding the Olympics. Only countries from FIBA America are eligible to compete. The USA men have compiled an impressive 81-11 overall record, winning eight of a possible 14 gold medals, while the USA women have won six of 12 gold medals and rolled up a 67-12 record. The 2007 Pan American Games is slated to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
World University Games: The World University Games are held for men and women every two years (2007, 2009, etc.), only current university student-athletes or recent graduates are eligible. The 2005 USA men's and women's World University Games teams finished undefeated to capture gold. The next World University Games is scheduled for 2007 in Bangkok, Thailand. The selections of the players and coaches are made by the USA Basketball Collegiate Committees.
U19 World Championships / Junior National Teams: USA Basketball also fields men's and women's national teams for players 19-years-old or younger. Men and women 19-years-old or younger are eligible to compete in the FIBA U19 World Championships which are held every two years (2007 for men and 2007 for women). The USA women in 2005 finished 8-0 to capture the U19 World Championship gold medal. USA Basketball also fields teams featuring players 18-years-old or younger for FIBA Americas Zone qualifying tournaments. The selections of the players and coaches are made by the USA Basketball Collegiate Committees.
Hoop Summit: The Hoop Summit is the country's premiere annual basketball game featuring America's top senior boy high school players taking on a World Select Team comprised of the world's top players 19-years-old or younger. Played each April, the USA currently holds a 7-2 lead in the series which was first played in 1995. The selections of the players and coaches are made by the USA Basketball Men's Junior Development Committee.
USA Basketball Youth Development Festival: Held annually each June for men between 1998-2005 and between 2002-2005 for women, USA Basketball’s Youth Development Festival is an entry-level event that combines competition with off-court educational seminars. Featuring four USA teams from 1998-2004, in 2005 the men's Festival featured three USA teams comprised of top players who are high school juniors or sophomores from around the US, and for the first time the Festival also included four international teams. The 2005 women's Festival featured three USA team and one international squad. Festival coaches are top high school and AAU coaches. The selections of the players and coaches are made by the USA Basketball Junior Development Committees.
USA Basketball Select Teams: In an attempt to continually develop younger talent, USA Basketball sponsors men's and women's select teams that tour foreign countries and participate in international tournaments in the hope of gaining valuable foreign experience and cultural exposure.
USA Men’s U19 World Championship Team To Return With Silver Medal | July 22, 2007:
The 2007 USA Basketball U19 World Championship Team (8-1) gave it all they had, but missed 13 free throws during the game and eventually fell host Serbia (8-1) 74-69 in the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship gold medal game on Sunday night in Novi Sad, Serbia. Deon Thompson (North Carolina / Torrance, Calif.) finished as the USA’s leading scorer for the second time in as many nights with 16 points, Patrick Beverley (Arkansas / Chicago, Ill.) scored 15 to go with a team-high eight rebounds and four steals, while Raymar Morgan (Michigan State / Canton, Ohio) checked in for 10 points.
France (6-3) took the bronze medal with a 75-67 victory over Brazil (4-5).
The U.S. now owns a 53-11 record in all-time FIBA U19 World Championship play, as well as a record three gold medals (1979, 1983, 1991) and three silvers (1987, 1999, 2007) in eight U19 Worlds.
"They have an outstanding team. They’re strong, they’re very big and they play very good defense," said USA and DePaul University head coach Jerry Wainwright . "We obviously lost the game at the free throw line. We had been shooting very well at the free throw line. By the nature of the draw and by some upsets we had some very tough games coming into this game. Yesterday’s game against France was a very difficult game and I think it drained us. We played a little bit tighter today, we just didn’t have the energy we usually have. We faltered at the free throw line, that has been a strength and certainly that hurt us because we missed 13 free throws in a five-point game. But rather than say anything about what we did, I commend Serbia, their players, their coaches."
"This is a big accomplishment, a lot of people didn’t expect us to be here," said Jonny Flynn (Niagara Falls H.S. / Niagara Falls, N.Y.), who averaged 9.6 ppg. in the USA’s nine games. "If you look at the big picture, this is second in the whole world, not just in any old tournament. This is second in the whole world. I learned a lot from this trip to Serbia and I’ll miss the guys, the coaching staff, coach Wainwright showed my a lot, coach Flint, coach Hobbs, I learned a lot. I’m going to take a lot to Syracuse with that. I’m going to miss this whole experience."
The U.S. found itself in a similar situation as in the semifinal game against France, down 11-2 in the game’s opening minutes. The USA couldn’t get into a rhythm offensively and despite tenacious defense that forced Serbia to run down the shot clock, the hosts managed to get shot after shot off. During the second quarter Serbia strung together nine straight points to expand its lead to 42-23 with 3:19 to play. However, the USA never gave up and closed the gap to 43-30 by halftime.
Working non-stop to cut the deficit in the third quarter, the USA at 2:37 trailed by four, 51-47. However, the Serbian squad rallied for six points to put a 57-47 stamp on the period.
Still refusing to concede, Thompson scored six points in a USA 8-3 run to stab back to 60-55 with 7:42 remaining. The Americans nabbed a few steals as it continued its valiant comeback attempt and with 3:25 to play the red, white and blue was down by just three points, 65-62. Serbia came back with a three at 3:02 and continued to fight off any U.S. charge and with 42 ticks on the clock held a 70-64 advantage. Stephen Curry (Davidson / Charlotte, N.C.) hit a three and Beverley got a layup in the final 10 seconds, but Serbia hit all of its four tries from the stripe down the stretch and time expired with the hosts on top 74-69.
The USA, which went 11-of-24 from the stripe for 45.8 percent, was edged on the glass 38-33.
Mladen Jeremic was his team’s leading scorer with 24 points, 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship MVP Milan Macvan finished with 19 and Stefan Stojacic scored 14.
Several USA U19 World Championship Team records fell or were tied during the tournament. In single game action, David Lighty (Ohio State / Cleveland, Ohio) and DeAndre Jordan (Bellaire Episcopal H.S. / Humble, Texas) each tied Brent Scott’s high field goal percentage set with 8-of-8 versus Japan in 1991. Lighty went 8-of-8 against Lithuania (7/16/07) and Jordan connected on all eight attempts versus Mali (7/12/07). Jordan also tied Samaki Walker’s U.S. record of four blocked shots against Mali. Walker had his four against Greece in 1995. The team tied the previous high for free throw percentage set in 2003 against Lithuania after shooting 92.3 percent (12-13 Fts) from the line against France (7/21/07) and tied the USA team record for blocked shots, originally set in 1995 against Greece, with 10 against Mali.
In overall tournament action Thompson is now ranked first among all-time USA blocked shots leaders with 13, while Beverley eclipsed the former USA steals mark of 20 set by Buck Johnson in 1983 with 31 and also moved up to No. 4 (tie) respectively on the USA’s all-time assists chart with 29. The team’s 843 point total eclipsed thee 742 scored in 1991, the 320 field goals made surpassed the 292 set in 1983, the squad shattered the previous steals record of 104 with 138, and set a new rebounding record with 374, 10 more than were grabbed in 2003.
Australia (8-1) finished in fifth place after beating Argentina (4-5) 83-59 and Turkey (4-5) took seventh with an 80-69 win over Spain (4-5).
Wainwright, who served as an assistant for the 2006 USA U18 National Team, is heading up the 2007 USA U19 World Championship Team coaching staff, and collegiate head coaches Bruiser Flint of Drexel University (Pa.) and George Washington University’s (D.C.) Karl Hobbs are serving as assistant coaches.
Court Coaches Selected For The 2007 USA Basketball Men’s Pan American Games Trials | June 5, 2007:
Kim Anderson of the University of Central Missouri, Fran O’Hanlon of Lafayette College (Pa.) and Steve Ridder of Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) have been tabbed as court coaches for the 2007 USA Basketball Men’s Pan American Games Team Trials, USA Basketball today announced. The coaching staff selections were made by the USA Basketball Men’s Collegiate Committee, chaired by USA Senior National Team assistant and Syracuse University head coach Jim Boeheim.
USA Basketball will conduct trials for the 2007 USA Men’s Pan Am Games Team July 12-14 at Haverford College (Pa.). Following trials, selected finalists for the USA Men’s Pan Am Games Team will continue training July 15-18 at Haverford and July 19-21 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The official 12-member roster will be announced prior to the team’s departure for the 2007 Pan American Games that are being held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 13-29.
Villanova University (Pa.) head coach Jay Wright, who most recently led the U.S. to gold at the 2005 World University Games, has been selected head coach of the 2007 USA Basketball Men's Pan American Games Team, while college head coaches Mark Gottfried of the University of Alabama and James Jones of Yale University (Conn.) were named assistant coaches.
Including 16 athletes with prior USA Basketball experience, 30 of the nation’s top collegiate basketball players have accepted invitations to participate in the USA Men’s Pan American Games National Team Trials. The USA Basketball Men’s Collegiate Committee also is charged with the player selections for the 2007 USA Pan American Games Trials and the official 12-member team as well.
Coach K Honored | Dec. 19, 2006:
Duke University (N.C.) head men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, who in 2006, the first year of a three year assignment to coach the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team program, helped resurrect respect and pride in the USA Senior Team, was announced today as the 2006 recipient of USA Basketball’s National Coach of the Year award. Krzyzewski piloted the U.S. Senior Men to a 2006 World Championship bronze medal and an overall record of 13-1.
"It is a tremendous accomplishment whenever you are chosen as a Coach of the Year by any organization," said Krzyzewski. "When it comes from USA Basketball, it is even more special. What could be more important than serving your country? I am honored to receive this award and need to thank the 2006 Senior National Team members, from the players to the coaches to the support staff, for all their hard work and dedication over the last year. This is a team accomplishment, not an individual one."
August 16: Results of the Five USA Basketball Exhibition Games: USA 116 Korea 63 ... USA 111 Lithuania 88 ... USA 90 Brazil 86 ... USA 119 China 73 ... USA 114 Puerto Rico 69.
August 14: USA World Championship finalist Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards) suffered a groin strain during the USA's practice Monday which will force the 6'4" guard to withdraw from contention for the 2006 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team, USA Basketball Senior National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo announced today.
2006-08 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team
There are 25 players on the Team USA roster for 2006-08 competitions. But only 12 players are allowed on the official active roster for the events, so "cuts" will be made as the roster gets trimmed for each summer's events, but no players are actually being "cut" from the overall team. For example, Luke Ridnour, Shawn Marion (knee injury) and Adam Morrison on July 25 got "cut" from the roster for 2006 summer world basketball championship competition in Japan, but they're still on the overall Team USA roster for the next few years and could be used in the summer of 2007 or 2008.
The 14 PLAYERS STILL IN RUNNING FOR FINAL 12-MAN 2006 SUMMER ROSTER (Aug. 4, 2006):
InsideHoops.com "Depth Charts" for Team USA's 14 Players:
PG: Chris Paul, Gilbert Arenas, Kirk Hinrich
SG: Dwyane Wade, Joe Johnson
SF: Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Bruce Bowen
PF: LeBron James, Elton Brand, Antawn Jamison
C: Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Brad Miller
COMPLETE 2006-08 TEAM USA ROSTER
PG:
Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul, Kirk Hinrich, Luke Ridnour
SG:
Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Michael Redd, Joe Johnson, JJ Redick
SF:
LeBron James, Paul Pierce, Carmelo Anthony, Shane Battier, Bruce Bowen, Adam Morrison
PF:
Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, Chris Bosh, Lamar Odom, Antawn Jamison
C:
Dwight Howard, Amare Stoudemire, Brad Miller
Summary of player elimination from 2006 Team USA world championships roster: (Updated August 4, 2006): These players were out of the running for the 2006 world championship roster before tryouts even took place: Greg Oden (wrist surgery), Kobe Bryant (knee surgery), JJ Redick (injury), Paul Pierce (surgery), Lamar Odom (personal - child died), Michael Redd (personal) and Chauncey Billups (personal - helping wife with newborn). Then, after initial workouts, Luke Ridnour, Adam Morrison and Shawn Marion were removed from consideration. Marion actually suffered a minor knee injury a few days earlier, which was very likely a factor. That cut the roster to 15. And around August 2 it was revealed that Amare Stoudemire will need more time to rehab from his injuries/surgery, so he was removed, making the roster 14. And soon, the final 12-man roster will be announced.
Note that these players removed from consideration for 2006 summer play are not being removed from the team permanently. It's just for this summer. Every single one of these players is on the Team USA overall roster for 2006-08 play. Players that weren't involved this summer certainly have an opportunity to be on rosters for 2007 and 2008.
Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski (July 25, 2006), on naming the 15 players who had been selected as finalists for the USA Basketball World Championship Team:
"All of my surprises during the first week of training have been good ones. I expected the players to work hard. They worked harder. I expected them to cooperate. They cooperated better. I expected them to listen and they listened better. I expected them to show enthusiasm and they showed enthusiasm at a higher level. They showed a spirit of cooperation and I didn't realize the friendship they already have because I'm not around them, but a lot of these guys are really close friends and that helps with our team building."
OLDER INFO BELOW:
Team USA 2006-08 Players Announced [USA Basketball] The players invited to try out for the USA Basketball team for years 2006-08 are official. [Mar 5]
Feb. 16, 2006: Calling on three coaches who have made their impact felt with their program, USA Basketball announced today that WNBA head coach Mike Thibault of the Connecticut Sun, and collegiate head coaches Gail Goestenkors of Duke University (N.C.) and Temple University's (Pa.) Dawn Staley will complete the coaching staff of the 2006 USA Women's World Championship Team, which is headed by four-time Olympic team member and Seattle Storm head mentor Anne Donovan. The selections were made by the USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team Committee. "This is a tremendous staff and I am very excited to work with Mike, Gail and Dawn," said 2006-08 USA Basketball Women's Senior National Team head coach Donovan. "Our backgrounds are all somewhat diverse and bringing all that experience together will make us a very tough, well rounded staff."
USA Drawn Into Group D With Puerto Rico, Slovenia, Italy, China And Senegal For 2006 FIBA Men's World Championship | Jan. 15, 2006
The USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team has been drawn into preliminary round Group D and was joined by Puerto Rico (wild card qualifier and ranked #11), Slovenia (European zone sixth place finisher and ranked #22), Italy (wild card qualifier and ranked #6), China (Asia Zone champion and ranked #14) and Senegal (Africa Zone runner-up and ranked #30) for the 2006 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) World Championship that will be held in Japan. Group D will play its preliminary round games Aug. 19-24 in Sapporo City, Japan.
FIBA conducted the official draw, which divided the 24 qualified teams into four preliminary round groups consisting of six teams each, Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. The 2006 FIBA Men's World Championship will be held Aug. 19-Sept. 3 in Japan.
"With FIBA expanding the World Championship from 16 teams to 24 teams for 2006, this will be the most competitive and exciting World Championship ever. The format of the World Championship makes every game critical. After completing the preliminary round games, each game from that point on is win or your gold medal hopes are done," said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
"Our preliminary group appears to be very balanced and I'm sure each game will be competitive. Italy, Puerto Rico and China are all among FIBA's top 14 ranked teams and certainly medal contenders. Slovenia showed at the 2005 European Championship that it was capable of playing with anyone, and Senegal is an up and coming team that will be dangerous, so we will have our hands full in the preliminary round."
The U.S. will open the ?06 Worlds on Aug. 19 against Puerto Rico, a team it is very familiar with. Owning a 7-1 record against Puerto Rico in World Championship play, Puerto Rico stunned the Americans 92-73 in the opening game of the 2004 Olympics.
One day later on Aug. 20 the American men will face a Yao Ming led China squad. The United States is 4-0 against China in World Championship games, last recording an 84-65 victory in 2002.
Following day off on Aug. 21, the U.S. returns to action Aug. 22 against Slovenia, a team it has not faced previously in World Championship play.
On Aug. 23 the USA men will take on former Olympic silver medalist Italy. Italy handed the Americans a 95-78 loss in an exhibition game held in Cologne, Germany, prior to the ?04 Olympics. However, the U.S. owns an all-time 5-2 mark against Italy in World Championship play, having last met in 1998, a game the U.S. claimed by an 80-77 margin.
The USA will close out preliminary round play on Aug. 24 facing Senegal, another team that the Americans have not faced before in the World Championships.
Composition of the other preliminary round groups are: Group A, which will play in Sendai City, consists of Argentina (2004 Olympic champion and ranked #3); Venezuela (Americas Zone third place finisher and ranked #20); France (European Zone third place finisher and ranked #10); Serbia & Montenegro (wild card qualifier and ranked #2); Lebanon (Asia Zone runner-up and ranked #26); and Nigeria (Africa Zone third place finisher and ranked #21). Group B will play in Hiroshima City and features Spain (European Zone fourth place finisher and ranked #5); Panama (Americas Zone fifth place finisher and ranked #34); Germany (European Zone runner-up and ranked #13); host Japan (ranked #25); New Zealand (Oceania Zone runner-up and ranked #16); and Angola (African Zone champion and ranked #17). Group C games will be held in Hamamatsu City and that group includes Lithuania (European Zone fifth place finisher and ranked #4); Brazil (Americas Zone champion and ranked #15); Greece (European Zone champion and ranked #8); Turkey (wild card qualifier and ranked #18); Australia (Oceania Zone champion and ranked #9); and Qatar (Asia Zone third place finisher and ranked #28).
July 27, 2005: USA Women's U19 Team Keeps Gold Medal Dream Alive With 85-55 Quarterfinals Victory Over Hungary. USA To Meet China In Semifinals Clash
TUNIS, TUNISIA (July 22, 2005) - Team depth and game highs of 16 points and eight rebounds from Courtney Paris (Piedmont H.S./Piedmont, Calif.) kept the USA's (6-0) gold medal dreams alive as the Americans handled Hungary (3-3) 85-55 Friday in quarterfinals action at the FIBA Women's U19 World Championship in Tunis, Tunisia. With the win, the USA's sixth in as many games, the Americans advanced into the medal round semifinals. The U.S. will meet 5-1 China, who easily beat its quarterfinals opponent South Korea 93-72, in one of Saturday's two semifinal contest.
"China is going to be our toughest test by far," said USA head coach Gail Goestenkors. "They're an excellent team. They're very strong, very physical and they have a one-two punch that is incredible in number five (Bian Lan) and number 11 (Lui Dan). We haven't faced anyone on the perimeter or in the post that is as good as those two. So it is going to have to be a tremendous team effort on the defensive end of the floor and we'll have to do a great job offensively because they are very disciplined on defense."
Facing a Hungry team that handed the U.S. a 75-67 loss in an exhibition game on July 20 in Budapest, Hungary was able to hang with the U.S. for the game's first 13 minutes, then the USA's overall depth, talent and determination ultimately proved too much.
"This was an excellent team effort and our depth was the difference in the game. They have seven good players and we have 12 excellent players. I felt like we wore them down, got them into some foul trouble. We started switching towards the end of the second quarter and that really increased the pressure and kept them from running their sets which I thought was the difference in the game," Goestenkors added.
USA U21 Team has New Coach [USA Basketball] Phil Martelli To Lead USA Basketball U21 World Championship Team. [May 9]
USA Basketball Hires Jerry Colangelo [NBA Playoffs] The USA Basketball Executive Committee has named Phoenix Suns Chairman and CEO Jerry Colangelo to the newly-created position of Managing Director of the USA Basketball Senior Men's National Team program for 2005-2008. [Apr 27]
2005 Tournament of Americas [International Basketball] Info on 2005 Tournament of Americas - American continent qualifiers for 2006 FIBA world basketball championship. [Apr 22]
Nike Hoop Summit [High School/International] The Nike Hoop Summit basketball game features some of America's best high school seniors against a World Select team of 19-or-younger players. [Mar 30]
2004 OLYMPICS ARTICLES:
USA beats Australia [Olympics] For three quarters
the U.S. Men's Olympic Team (2-1) chased Australia (1-2), until they finally stepped
up on the defensive end for a 89-79 victory Thursday afternoon in Athens. [Aug
18]
USA edges Greece [Olympics] USA fights hard to
hold off Greece. [Aug 18]
Puerto Rico destroys USA [2004 Olympics] In the first USA
basketball game of the 2004 Olympics, Puerto Rico dominated, winning by 19. [Aug
15]
Team USA ready for Olympics [2004 Olympics] The USA Senior
men's basketball team has arrived in Greece and is ready to defend their Olympic
Gold. [Aug 13]
PRE-OLYMPIC ARTICLES:
USA beats Turkey in exhibition [USA Basketball] The USA Senior
Men's basketball team beat Turkey in the team's final exhibition game. [Aug 10]
USA beats Turkey [USA Basketball] In exhibition,
pre-Olympic basketball, Team USA held off Turkey. [Aug 8]
USA beats Serbia & Montenegro [NBA News] In exhibition pre-Olympic basketball, Team USA won convincingly over the world champs. [Aug 7]
USA beats Germany via Iverson miracle [USA Basketball] In a pre-Olympics
exhibition game, Allen Iverson launched a game-wining 40-foot 3-pointer to lift the USA Senior Team (2-1) to an 80-77 victory over Germany (1-1) in front of a sold-out Kolnarena crowd numbering 18,000. [Aug 5]
Italy destroys USA [USA Basketball] In a pre-Olympics
exhibition game that doesn't actually count for anything but pride, Italy won
convincingly over a stunned Team USA. [Aug 3]
USA beats Puerto Rico in
exhibition [USA Basketball] The win, the
USA's first of a six game exhibition tour, improved the record of USA senior teams
comprised of NBA players to 19-0 in exhibition games. [Aug 2]
USA beats Puerto Rico in
exhibition [USA Basketball] The win, the
USA's first of a six game exhibition tour, improved the record of USA senior teams
comprised of NBA players to 19-0 in exhibition games. [Aug 2]
USA Young Men win gold
medal [USA Basketball] The USA World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Team (5-0) fought to the finish in order to polish off Puerto Rico (3-2) 97-86 in the gold medal contest of the FIBA Americas World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Tournament Sunday night in Halifax, Canada. [Aug 2]
USA Young Men reach gold
game [USA Basketball] The USA World
Championship For Young Men Qualifying Team (4-0) advanced to the gold medal game
at the FIBA Americas World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Tournament after
putting host Canada (2-2) away in the fourth quarter for an eventual 86-63 win
on Saturday night in Halifax, Canada. [Aug 1]
USA Young Men beat Brazil [USA Basketball] Behind a double-double
of 18 points and 10 rebounds from Sean May, the USA World Championship For Young
Men Qualifying Team (2-0) earned its first true victory at the 2004 FIBA Americas
World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Tournament after besting Brazil (0-2)
87-64 on Thursday night in Halifax, Canada. [July 30]
Iverson, Duncan USA co-captains [USA Basketball] USA Basketball
Men's Senior National Team veterans Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) and Allen Iverson
(Philadelphia 76ers) were selected unanimously by their U.S. teammates co-captains
of the 2004 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team. [July 27]
USA Juniors win exhibition [USA Basketball]The USA World Championship For Young Men Qualifying Team earned an 88-54 exhibition victory over the Canada Young Men's National Team Sunday afternoon in Saint John, Canada. [July 26]
USA Men's Exhibition games
on TV [USA Basketball] All six of the
2004 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team's exhibition games will be televised,
one on ABC and five on ESPN, USA Basketball announced today. Additionally, ESPN2
will reair three of the exhibition games. [July 19]
USA Young Men's team finalists [USA Basktball] Just 16 candidates
remain in their quest for one of 12 roster spots on the 2004 USA Basketball World
Championship For Young Men Qualifying Team. [July 18]
USA Basketball player
quotes
See interviews with most of Team USA after their win over Argentina to finish
the Olympic Qualifying tournament with a perfect record. Sep 1
USA whoops
Puerto Rico
Team USA beats Puerto Rico 91-65 and are now 8-0 in the 2003 Americas Olympic
Qualifying basketball tournament in Puerto Rico. So far, only the Argentina game
was close. Aug 29
USA beats
Mexico
Team USA beats Mexico 96-69 and are now 7-0. Aug 28
USA beats
Argentina, but barely
Team USA beat Argentina, their toughest opponent in the Olympic Qualifiers. The
score was far too close for comfort. Read the full story. Aug 26
USA beats
Canada
WTeam USA beat Canada to win their first game in the second leg of the Olympic
Qualifying tournament. Allen Iverson was unstoppable and put on a clinic. Read
the full story. Aug 26
USA now
four for four USA men's senior team beat the Virgin Islands to win yet again. Allen Iverson
scored 17. The first round of the qualifying tournament is nearing the end. The
second round begins almost immediately afterwards. See full recap. Aug 24
USA
wins three of three USA men's senior team beat Venezuela to win their third Americas Olympic
Qualifying game. Full recap. Aug 23
USA
wins second qualifying game USA men's senior team beats the Dominican Republic to win their second
Americas Olympic Qualifying game. Full recap. Aug 22
USA wins first
qualifying game USA men's senior team beats Brazil to win their first game in the Americas
Olympic Qualifying tournament. Full recap. Aug 21
K.Martin added
to Team USA New Jersey Nets forward Kenyon Martin has been added to the USA men's senior
team, replacing Karl Malone. Aug 19
USA Beats Puerto
Rico in exhibition WThe U.S. senior men's basketball, with Iverson, McGrady, Duncan and other
superstars, beat Puerto Rico Sunday afternoon in an exhibition game at Madison
Square Garden. Also, box
score. Aug 17
August 1, 2003: The
2003 USA Basketball men's and women’s Pan American Games teams arrived in
Santo Domingo on Wednesday to a welcome reception from the host country. The
teams spent three hours at the airport to register as official members of the
Pan American Games, and afterwards they moved into three-bedroom apartments at
the Athlete Village, which is home to all the athletes participating in the games.
2003 JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
2003 Junior World Championship Finals Review:(July
21, 2003): In the gold medal game, Australia (7-1) continued on its roll and won
its first junior championship handing Lithuania (5-3) a lopsided 126-92 loss,
while in the bronze medal contest Greece (6-2) bounced back from its disappointing
semifinals loss to defeat Croatia (5-3) 73-64.
July 21, 2003: USA
Juniors beat Puerto Rico. Finish FIBA Junior World Championship with a fifth
place final standing and a 7-1 record.
July 20, 2003: USA
Juniors beat Slovenia. Earn sixth win with help from Paul Davis and Daniel
Brown.
Pan American Games: Held every four years, one
year prior to the Olympics. It's a multi-sport competition for men and women in
countries from North America, South America, Central America and the Carribean.
The Pan Am Games started in 1951. The 2003 Pan American Games are in Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic from August 1 to August 17. The men's basketball portion is
from August 2 to August 6. Results will likely be on InsideHoops.com but if not,
check here.
See USA roster here.
Men's Junior World Championship: Held every four
years for men ages 19 and under from countries around the world. This year there
are 16 teams. This is a FIBA event. The Men's Junior World Championship began
in 1979. The 2003 event is July 10-20 in Thessaloniki, Greece. The 2003 schedule
and results are here.
See USA roster here.
JUNIOR MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
The 7th Annual FIBA Men’s Junior World Championship
are being held July 10-20 in Thessaloniki, Greece. Featuring 16 junior national
teams that qualified last summer, eligibility for the 2003 USA Basketball Men’s
Junior World Championship Team is limited to any male athlete who is a U.S. citizen
and 19-years-old or younger (born on or before Jan. 1, 1984). The USA team finalists
were selected by the USA Basketball Men’s Collegiate Committee. The official
12-member USA junior team was finalized during the team’s June 24-July 6
training camp in Dallas.
FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament: This
is the big one. Taking place in Puerto Rico from August 20 to August 31, 2003,
the top three finishes in this basketball tournament will compete in the basketball
portion of the 2004 Olympics. The USA team uses NBA players and a college player
or two. USA Olympic Qualifier roster is here.
The schedule and results are here.
