OKLAHOMA CITY, January 16, 2012 – Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant and guard Russell Westbrook were among the 20 finalists named today for the 2012 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. The official 12-man U.S. Olympic team roster will be announced later this year.
Durant was named World Championship MVP on the 2010 USA World Championship squad that went 9-0 and captured gold in Istanbul, Turkey. His involvement in USA Basketball began in 2006 when he was named a member of the U.S. team at the Nike Hoop Summit. Since that time, he competed in the 2007 State Farm USA Basketball Challenge as well as participated in the National Team training camps.
Westbrook most recently was a member of the 2010 USA World Championship squad that won gold in Istanbul. Additionally, the guard participated in the 2009 USA Men’s National team mini-camp after being named to the USA Basketball Select team in 2008.
Additional finalists include: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers); Chris Bosh (Miami Heat); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (New Orleans Hornets); Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Dallas Mavericks); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (New Jersey Nets).
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games will be held July 27-August 12 in London, England. Twelve teams will compete in the 2012 Olympic men’s basketball competition.