Retired General Dempsey elected chairman of USA Basketball

COLORADO SPRINGS - USA Basketball have elected retired General Martin E. Dempsey, the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as their new chairman.

Dempsey succeeds Jerry Colangelo, who announced earlier this month that he would not seek a third term at the top of the organization.

"I am excited to join USA Basketball and to become part of a legacy of excellence both on and off the court," Dempsey said in a USA Basketball statement.

"Playing for USA Basketball is about commitment, sacrifice, and pride. It's about developing young men and women who are exceptional athletes but also exceptional leaders. It's about respecting the game and our international competitors.

"It's about representing our country with honor, and it's about winning. I look forward to working with the USA Basketball staff, coaches, players, and families."

Dempsey has big shoes to fill as USA Basketball has thrived under Colangelo. The national teams have dominated with both the men and women at the top of the FIBA World Rankings.

Colangelo has decided to continue to oversee the USA men's national team and will lead the transition to a new coaching staff, with San Antonio Spurs boss Gregg Popovich replacing Mike Krzyzewski as head coach. Popovich was an assistant on the USA coaching staff under Larry Brown at the Athens Olympics 12 years ago.

Dempsey recently retired after 41 years of military service. He served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army and as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2011-15). As Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he was the senior officer in the Armed Forces and the military advisor to the Secretary of Defense and to the President.

FIBA