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Faried can join Denver Nuggets teammate Foye as gold medal winner

They share a hometown and adjacent chairs in the Denver Nuggets locker room.

When Kenneth Faried takes the floor with Team USA at the FIBA World Cup, he and fellow Newark, N.J., native Randy Foye will add to that list.

They will both share the honor of representing their country in international competition.

Faried is one of 12 players on the 2014 U.S. Men’s National Team. His appearance in Spain will take place nine years after Foye helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2005 World University Games in Turkey.

“It’s a cool, cool feeling,” Foye said.

Foye was entering his senior year at Villanova when he participated in the World University Games. He started seven of eight games and averaged 12.6 points as the United States went undefeated en route to the gold.

Faried is penciled in as the starting power forward for Team USA, which opens preliminary play against Finland on Aug. 30.

“He’s played well,” Foye said.

Foye said he spoke to Faried on the phone during USA Basketball’s training and exhibition schedule. He kept the advice to a minimum.

“When guys are doing things like that, you just let them go out and do what they do best,” Foye said. “You just want him to go out there and have fun.”

If all goes well for Team USA in Spain, Faried will have fun sharing one more thing with Foye – the joy of bringing home a gold medal.