James, Leonard headline U.S. Olympic hoops finalists
Lebron James, Kawhi Leonard and James Harden are among the 44 finalists for the 12 spots on the 2020 U. S. Olympic men’s basketball team.
USA Basketball announced the candidates on Monday, and they include nine members of the United States’ 2016 Olympic team and seven from the 2012 squad. Both teams won gold medals.
The roster will be announced later this year. The 2020 Olympics will be held
in Tokyo from July 24 to Aug. 9.
The men’s basketball gold medal game is Aug. 8.
All 44 finalists have international or USA Basketball national team experience. James, a three- time Olympic medallist, has the most international experience with 68 games played.
Twelve nations will compete in the 2020 Games. Already qualified are the United States, host Japan, Argentina, Australia, France, Iran, Nigeria and Spain.
Team USA will be coached by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is taking over for Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski. Assistant coaches are Steve Kerr ( Golden State Warriors), Lloyd Pierce ( Atlanta Hawks) and Jay Wright ( Villanova).
The 44 candidates and their NBA teams are:
Boston Celtics: Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker;
Brooklyn Nets: Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, Kyrie Irving;
Cleveland Cavaliers: Andre Drummond, Kevin Love;
Denver Nuggets: Mason Plumlee;
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson;
Houston Rockets: James Harden, Russell Westbrook;
Indiana Pacers: Malcolm Brogdon, Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner;
Los Angeles Clippers: Paul George, Montreal Harrell, Kawhi Leonard;
Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Javale Mcgee;
Miami Heat: Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler;
Milwaukee Bucks: Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton;
New Orleans Pelicans: Brandon Ingram; Oklahoma City Thunder: Chris Paul;
Philadelphia 76ers: Tobias Harris; Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker; Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard;
Sacramento Kings: Harrison Barnes;
San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge, Demar Derozan, Derrick White;
Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry; Utah Jazz: Mike Conley, Donovan Mitchell;
Washington Wizards: Bradley Beal.