Colorado Springs, CO (Sports Network) - Veteran forward Lamar Odom has decided
to withdraw from the Olympics, making it a bit easier for Team USA to choose
its 12-man roster for the London Games.
Odom, who was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, announced he will
be unavailable to play.
"While it is unfortunate to have lost the players we have, Coach (Mike)
Krzyzewski and I remain extremely confident with the group of players we'll
have at our training camp in Las Vegas. We believe that we will still have an
outstanding collection of talent and that ultimately we will have another team
that all Americans will be excited about and proud of," said USA Basketball
Chairman Jerry Colangelo.
There are 15 finalists for the final 12 spots. They are: Carmelo Anthony (New
York Knicks); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York
Knicks); Anthony Davis (New Orleans Hornets); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City
Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets);
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder);
Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love
(Minnesota Timberwolves); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Russell Westbrook
(Oklahoma City Thunder); and Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets).
The team will open training with a camp in Las Vegas, starting July 5. The
USA's 12-man roster will be announced after the team's practice on July 7.
The Sports Network