The USA finalists will take a five-day break and will reconvene in Las Vegas on July 31 for the start of the second phase of the team's domestic training before competing in several exhibition games in preparation for the 2006 FIBA World Championships.

WIZARDS GUARD GILBERT ARENAS
On being selected as a finalist for the USA Basketball World Championship Team:
"It's a big honor -- a dream come true. As kids we all watched the '92 Olympics with Michael Jordan and wanted to be a part of it. Now I've got my chance. One of my biggest dreams growing up was to be an Olympian. I had poster with Michael Jordan, Magic, Bird, Barkley, Ewing…they're leaning over the fence and you can just see their names on their uniforms. I had a Penny Hardaway number six Olympic jersey, a Grant Hill jersey…now it's my turn. Someone's going to be wearing my jersey."

On the experience of getting to know his new teammates:
"It's been great. You play against these guys all season long but you don't really get to talk to them. Here we've hung out in LeBron's room -- about 15 of us -- and we've all been in Carmelo's room just hanging out. These five or six days have been great. Chris Paul and I went bowling a couple of times, and it was cool."

On the aspects of his game that he wanted to showcase during training:
"I didn't feel like I had to score. I averaged 29 points per game last season, so I didn't have to prove that I can score. I wanted to show that I can do other things. I wanted to play good defense, do all of the little things, and show that I am the right man to beat a zone defense with shooting."

On sharing the opportunity with Wizards' teammate Antawn Jamison:
"It is special for both of us because we were on a team in Golden State where we were labeled as selfish. They said we were just a selfish group of guys on a bad team. We've grown into All-Stars in Washington. We became team players. We became leaders and now together, we are becoming Olympians. Labels don't mean anything in this league. It is what you believe in your mind."

WIZARDS FORWARD ANTAWN JAMISON
On being selected as a finalist for the USA Basketball World Championship Team:
"As kids watching the Dream Team, we all wanted to be on it. We always dreamt we'd have an opportunity to put on that USA jersey, and for it to come to reality, to be a finalist, and to have this chance, is a dream come true. I am so happy to have this opportunity to represent my country. It is a great privilege and honor. This is very special and an opportunity that I will always cherish."

On what skills he showed the coaching staff:
"I think I just showed them how versatile of a player I am. I am able to score on the inside, I can penetrate and I can hit the outside shot. Offensively, it's not just one thing I did best, but I was able to show them my all-around game. Defensively, I think that I surprised some people. I was able to defend the big guys but also was able to contain some of the guards. I think that I played well both on the offensive and defensive end this week."

On sharing this moment with Gilbert Arenas:
"It's unbelievable. We have shared a lot since we entered the league. He has been there with me on a number of memorable occasions in both my professional career and my personal life. He has been there with me during the time of the birth of my child. We made it to the playoffs together and now to have the opportunity to represent our country together, it is just an unbelievable experience. To go through this experience with Gilbert makes it that much sweeter."

On playing against Lithuania and new Wizards teammate Darius Songaila:
"It's going to be fun. I know he has a sense of humor, and to have the opportunity to play against him is going to bring us closer. He's a new addition to the family. We're going to welcome him when he has that Wizards uniform on, but right now he has another uniform on and we're going to go head-to-head."

On ‘trying out' for a team:
"It's unique. I can't remember the last time I had to try out for anything. Here's a situation where this is the biggest stage, but I never doubted myself. There are a lot of big time guys, like LeBron (James) and the other talented players, but to be put on the stage with the best, and to come out of here as a finalist is very gratifying for me."