BEIJING, Aug. 10, 2008 – The National Basketball Association is well represented on the rosters for the men’s basketball competition at the 2008 Olympic Games. A total of 42 current and former NBA players dot the 12 Olympic rosters, the highest number since NBA players began participating in the Olympics in 1992. Ten Olympic teams have at least one current or former NBA player on their rosters.

The NBA was also represented in a prominent way at the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games on Friday. Four current NBA players carried the flag during the procession for their respective country, Argentina’s Manu Ginobili, China’s Yao Ming (Houston Rockets), Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks) and Russia’s Andrei Kirilenko (Utah Jazz). Former NBA guard Sarunas Jasikevicius carried the flag for Lithuania.

“It shows that basketball is getting bigger all over the world," Nowitzki said. "Basketball used to be a smaller sport, but now everybody plays it. The NBA has fans all over the world. It's becoming a global game."

All 12 members of the U.S. National Team currently play in the NBA, led by reigning league Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) and three other 2008 NBA First Team selections, Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers) and Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets). The team also features former Olympians Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks) and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat). Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons), Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) round out the United States roster.

Next to the USA, the Spanish team features the most current or former NBA players with seven. Active NBA players Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers), Jose Calderon (Toronto Raptors), Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers) and Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies) lead the way for the Spanish team.

Argentina’s roster showcases five current or former NBA players, including active players Ginobili, Andres Nocioni (Chicago Bulls), Fabricio Oberto (San Antonio Spurs) and Luis Scola (Houston Rockets).

China, Croatia, Greece and Russia each have three current or former NBA players on their roster while Australia, Germany and Lithuania each are represented by two.