OKLAHOMA CITY, July 7, 2012 – Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, guard Russell Westbrook and guard James Harden were named to the 2012 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team, it was announced today by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo.
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.
Harden, who was added as a finalist on May 3, joins Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers) as the only other newcomer on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team men’s basketball roster. The third-year guard was named the 2011-12 Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year after leading the NBA in bench scoring with a 16.8 point per game average on .491 shooting (309-of-629), including .390 3-point shooting (114-of-292).
Also nominated for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team were: Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); LeBron James (Miami Heat); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers); and Deron Williams (Brooklyn 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.