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Suns forward Amaré Stoudemire is eagerly anticipating the opporutnity to represent the United States in next month's Olympic Games.
(NBAE Photos)
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Posted: May 14, 2004
Adding five players, four who boast of prior USA Basketball experience, USA Basketball officially announced today the addition of NBA standouts LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Richard Jefferson (New Jersey Nets), Stephon Marbury (New York Knicks), Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns) and Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) to the 2004 USA Senior National Team roster. USA Basketball also announced that 2000 Olympian Ray Allen (Seattle SuperSonics) has withdrawn from the '04 team because of a personal family matter.
The naming of the five players raises the USA player roster to the official 12-man limit. The talent-laden USA squad is scheduled to represent the United States at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, Aug. 13-29. The player selections were made by the USA Basketball Senior National Team Committee.
The 2004 USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team will open their pre-Olympic training on July 26 at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida, and will spend the 18 days leading up to the 2004 Athens Olympics training in Jacksonville; Cologne, Germany; Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro; Istanbul, Turkey, and will play a total of six exhibition games.
"These five players are excellent additions to the team," said USA head coach Larry Brown. "The Committee selected players who are very talented. They can all play multiple positions, and each one plays the game very unselfishly. I'm really pleased with the 12 players we now have to represent the United States. We have seven players back from the team we coached last summer that qualified the U.S. for the Olympics, and we've added five players who each in their own way offers us some unique abilities. We're looking forward to coaching this team."
"The addition of LeBron James, Richard Jefferson, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire adds versatility and youth to our 2004 Senior Team, and it is also an advantage that four of the five previously played for USA Basketball," stated USA Basketball President Tom Jernstedt. "The USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Committee is to be commended for its outstanding work. We're confident that all of the selected players will represent the United States and USA Basketball in a manner that will make all Americans proud."
"The committee has selected five dedicated and talented players who are all in line with coach Brown and the committee's philosophy for the Olympic men's basketball team this summer," said Stu Jackson, Chair of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Committee. "In Richard Jefferson, LeBron James, Stephon Marbury, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire we have five players who are extremely athletic, can play multiple positions and have the ability to play in the defensive style of play that coach Brown will emphasize."
The five players named today join the seven core group players previously named to the USA team which includes two-time Olympic gold medalist and 19-year NBA star Karl Malone; NBA All-Star and 2000 Olympic gold medalist Jason Kidd; Tim Duncan, the NBA's 2002 and 2003 Most Valuable Player; Allen Iverson, a perennial All-Star and the NBA's 2001 MVP; Jermaine O'Neal, a 2002, 2003 and 2004 NBA All-Star; Tracy McGrady, the NBA's scoring champion in 2002-03 and 2003-04, and Mike Bibby, who wrapped up the 2003-04 regular season as the NBA's lone player ranked among the top 25 statistical leaders in points, assists, steals and 3-point shooting percentage.
Brown, the Detroit Pistons head coach and 2002 Hall of Fame inductee, is head coach of the 2004 USA Basketball Senior National Team and will draw on his recent international head coaching experiences that saw him lead USA teams in 1999 and 2003 to 10-0 records and Olympic qualifying berths. Assisting Brown on the USA bench is San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, who owns a pair of NBA championship rings, and a pair of very successful collegiate head mentors in Clemson University's (S.C.) Oliver Purnell and University of North Carolina's Roy Williams.
James, Jefferson, Marbury and Marion all possess previous USA Basketball experience, upping the number of '04 Senior Team members who have prior USA Basketball experience to 11 (Bibby, Duncan, Iverson, James, Jefferson, Kidd, Malone, Marbury, Marion, McGrady and O'Neal).
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"It's an honor for sure and it's exciting. I was waiting to see what would happen, I thought I had a chance to make it and I did, and it's exciting," said Marion. "When I went to Australia for the (2001) Goodwill Games, I looked at it as a stepping stone to get to the Olympics. I'll bring whatever they need me to bring, I think I can offer my whole game, offense or defense, I'll do whatever is asked, whatever is needed."
A member of two previous USA squads, Marion was part of the 2001 USA Goodwill Games and 2002 USA World Championship teams. Rolling to a 5-0 mark to collect gold, the USA Goodwill Team featured young NBA standouts and Marion starred for the U.S., averaging team bests of 13.4 ppg. and 7.6 rpg., while shooting 63.0 percent from the field and 75.0 percent from the foul line. As part of the USA World Championship squad that finished 6-3 and in sixth place, an injury limited Marion to action in just six of the USA's nine games, still, he averaged 9.8 ppg. and 4.7 rpg.
Like the others, the 6-7 Marion too enjoyed an outstanding season in 2003-04, his fifth in the NBA. Ranking 19th in the NBA in scoring with a hefty 19.0 ppg. average, he listed 14th in rebounding grabbing 9.3 rpg. Recording 35 double-doubles to rank 12th in that category, Marion ranked second in steals snatching 2.11 a game, and also ranked second in average minutes played at 40.7, sixth in minutes played (3217), 13th in field goals attempted (1341), 15th in field goals made (590), 15th in defensive rebounds a game (6.6), 18th in offensive rebounds per game (2.7) and 27th in blocks (1.32).
Marion made his first All-Star appearance in 2003 and had eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals in 23 minutes and was named to the 1999-2000 All-Rookie Second Team.
Marion played his first two collegiate seasons at Vincennes University (Ind.) and after earning top honors as the National Junior College Player of the Year in 1998, transferred to UNLV. Marion played his junior year at UNLV, where he led the team in scoring and rebounding averaging 18.7 ppg. and 9.3 rpg., then he elected to turn pro and the Suns selected him with the ninth overall selection.
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"This means so much to me," exclaimed Stoudemire. "I said earlier that I would absolutely love to play for my country and I meant it. This will be my first time playing for USA Basketball, but I'm ready for it. I'm looking forward to being part of the U.S. Olympic Team and playing with some of the best players in the world."
A 6-10, 245-pound power forward, Stoudemire will be making his first appearance for USA Basketball. In 2003-04, his second NBA season, he played in 55 games and increased his averages across the board, posting 20.6 ppg., 9.0 rpg., 1.62 bpg., 1.16 spg., and 1.4 apg., while shooting 47.5 percent from the field.
Due to injuries, he did not play in the minimum number of games required to qualify for inclusion in most statistical rankings, however, Stoudemire did finish ranked 25th in field goal percentage, and would have found himself ranked 15th in scoring, tied for 15th in rebounding, 19th in blocked shots and 45th in steals.
Selected for the 2004 Rookie Challenge held during the All-Star Weekend, Stoudemire scored a record 36 points (17-23 FGs) and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the Sophomores to a 142-118 victory over the Rookies and earned MVP honors in the process. In 2002-03, he was named the Rookie of the Year after averaging 13.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.06 blocks. He topped all rookies in rebounds, free throws made (320) and attempted (484), was second in points, blocks and minutes (31.3), and fourth in field goal percentage (.472).
Stoudemire also participated in 2003 Rookie Challenge and accounted for 18 points and seven boards, and competed in the Slam Dunk contest on All-Star Saturday.
The ninth overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, he was the only high schooler selected in 2002 NBA Draft. Named to the Parade Magazine 2002 All-America High School Boys Basketball First Team and the 2002 USA Today All-USA Boys Basketball First Team, he was selected the Florida High School Player of the Year by the Orlando Sentinel as a senior at Cypress Creek High School (Fla.) after averaging 29.1 points, 15 rebounds, 6.1 blocked shots and 2.1 steals a game.
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"I am honored to be invited to participate on the U.S. Olympic team. It's a dream come true for me to represent my country," stated James, who will be 19-years, seven months and 13 days old when the ‘04 Olympics open on Aug.13 making him the youngest USA male basketball player to participate in the Olympic since Spencer Haywood in 1968 (Haywood was 19 years, five months and 26 days old at the start of the '68 games). "I look forward to joining my fellow Americans and competing against the best basketball players in the world. I am excited to have the opportunity to play for Larry Brown and his staff. I have great respect for coach Brown, and we have an Akron, Ohio connection."
A veteran of the 2001 USA Basketball Youth Development Festival, James, after completing just his sophomore high school season (the majority of Festival participants are high school juniors), led the USA North Team to the Festival gold medal and averaged a Festival best 24.0 ppg., and added a Festival fifth best 7.2 rpg., 2.2 assists, a Festival second best 2.0 steals a game, all while shooting 52.7 percent from the floor, and a Festival second best 47.8 percent (11-23 3pt FGs) from 3-point.
James, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2003 draft, turned in a memorable rookie season with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003-04 and claimed Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie First Team honors in the process. Averaging a NBA 13th best 20.9 points a game, he also accounted for 5.5 rpg., a NBA 13th best 5.9 apg., and a NBA 13th best 1.65 spg. James started all 79 games he played in and compiled 3,122 minutes, which listed as the ninth most in the NBA. He also ranked fourth in field goals attempted (1492), seventh in field goals made (622), and 15th in free throws attempted (460). Scoring a season high 41 points (March 27) versus the New Jersey Nets, James posted a double-double 12 times during his rookie campaign.
Winning all six Rookie of the Month awards for the Eastern Conference, the 6-8 guard became just the third rookie to average 20 or more points, five rebounds and five assists in his first season (Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan were the others).
James, the consensus 2003 National High School Player of the Year, was selected the Parade Magazine High School Boys Basketball Player of the Year as a junior and senior, becoming the first repeat winner in the 47-year history of the award. All told, during his four seasons at St. Vincent-St. Mary he compiled 2,657 points, 892 rebounds and 523 assists.
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"My goal was to make the 2008 Olympic Team...and to have my dream come true four years earlier is very hard to put into words," admitted Jefferson. "It is an honor and a privilege, and I cannot wait for the competition to begin."
Jefferson gained his first USA Basketball experience last summer with the 2003 USA Olympic Qualifying Team that finished 10-0 to win gold and qualify the United States men for the 2004 Olympics. Seeing time in all 10 games, he averaged 3.7 ppg., 1.7 rpg., and 1.9 apg., and recorded seven points, two rebounds and four assists in win over the Virgin Islands, and had six points, two rebounds and two assists in win over Argentina in the gold medal game. In the USA's 101-74 exhibition win over Puerto Rico in New York he finished with10 points and four rebounds.
Jefferson's third NBA season, 2003-04, was a breakout year for the 6-7 forward. Averaging a career high 38.2 minutes a game and playing and starting in all 82 games for the Nets, Jefferson averaged a career best 18.5 ppg., and added 5.7 rpg., 3.8 apg., 1.12 spg., while shooting 49.8 percent from the floor, 36.4 from 3-point and 76.3 from the foul line.
He finished the 2003-04 regular season ranked eighth among NBA leaders in minutes played (3133), 11th in field goal percentage, 12th in free throws attempted (468), 16th in free throws made (357), 17th in total points scored (1515), tied for 17th in field goals made (555), 22nd in points per game, 30th in efficiency ranking (18.84), and tied for 36th in assists per game. As a rookie, Jefferson was named All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 9.4 ppg. and 3.7 rpg.
Playing three seasons (1998-99 through 2000-01) at the University of Arizona, Jefferson helped lead the Wildcats to a 2001 NCAA runner-up finish in his junior and final season. Compiling 944 points (11.2 ppg.) in his three seasons, he also accumulated 416 rebounds (5.0 rpg.) and 232 assists (2.8 apg.), and boasted a career shooting percentage of 49.0 percent.
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"I am just really honored to represent my country and I think it's definitely an accomplishment that a lot of people aren't able to experience. I was just excited and happy to know I was one the guys chosen. For my family, for myself, it is a big honor," stated Marbury. "I watched the Dream Team (in 1992), and I can remember as far back as when Petrovic played (1988), so to be an Olympian feels like I achieved a life long accomplishment."
Marbury is a veteran of three USA Basketball teams who last donned the USA's red, white and blue jersey in 1995. Starting in all eight games and leading the team in minutes played, Marbury starred on the 1995 USA Junior World Championship Team that traveled to Athens, Greece, and finished seventh with a 4-4 record. Averaging team bests of 17.5 ppg., 3.9 apg. and 1.6 spg., he also posted 2.9 rpg., and shot 44.9 percent from the floor, 37.8 percent from 3-point, and 79.4 from the charity stripe. A year earlier at the 1994 FIBA Americas Junior World Championship Qualifying Tournament in Argentina, he helped the USA to an 8-0 record and the gold medal, recording a team third best 11.6 ppg., team bests of 7.8 apg. and 2.4 spg., as well as 3.0 rpg., while shooting 51.7 percent from the field, 30.4 percent from 3-point and 82.8 percent from the foul line. Marbury was also selected to the 1995 USA Junior Select Team that played in the first Hoop Summit, and while aiding the USA to an 86-77 victory over an international select team, finished with 10 points and five assists.
Marbury is a two-time All-NBA Third Team selection (2000 and 2003) and a two-time NBA All-Star (2001 and 2003).
Traded by Phoenix to the New York Knicks on Jan. 4, 2004, Marbury, who played 34 games for Phoenix and 47 with the Knicks in '03-'04, finished the year ranked 15th in the NBA in scoring with a 20.2 ppg. average, and finished runner-up in assists dishing out 8.9 assists a game. Listing third in minutes played (3254) and seventh in minutes averaged (40.2), he also listed 10th in field goal tries (1386), 11th in assists to turnovers (2.89), 15th in total efficiency, 15th in steals (1.59 spg.), 17th in free throw attempts (356) and 35th in free throw percentage (.817).
At 19 years of age, he was picked fourth in the 1996 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, who promptly traded him to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a deal for the No. 5 overall pick, Ray Allen. Marbury entered the NBA Draft after playing one season at Georgia Tech, where he earned Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Additionally, he was selected All-ACC First Team, only the fifth freshman in conference history to earn first team distinction, and was named All-America Third Team by The Associated Press.
