USA - College stand-outs selected by USA
<div>LAS VEGAS (FIBA Americas championship) - Greg Oden of Ohio State and Texas' Kevin Durant were two of eight players added to the United States national team roster, managing director Jerry Colangelo announced Wednesday. Other additions were Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz, Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets, the New Jersey Nets' Jason Kidd, Mike Miller of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince.<br /> </div>
LAS VEGAS (FIBA Americas championship) - Greg Oden of Ohio State and Texas' Kevin Durant were two of eight players added to the United States national team roster, managing director Jerry Colangelo announced Wednesday.
Other additions were Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz, Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets, the New Jersey Nets' Jason Kidd, Mike Miller of the Memphis Grizzlies and the Detroit Pistons' Tayshaun Prince.
"After the recent meeting our coaches had in Phoenix, we decided to add a couple of bigs, in particular for their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities," Colangelo said.
"We also decided to add some leadership in the backcourt and some shooters. We also recognised several players who had outstanding seasons and who we felt were deserving of this opportunity."
While naming the additions to the roster that will participate in a training camp here from July 20-22 that will decide the final squad, Colangelo also released a list of seven players that were unavailable due to injuries, including the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade and Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards.
Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce was also on the list.
"One of the reasons for forming and selecting a national team is so you have flexibility," Colangelo said.
"It takes into account the fact that you may have injuries, there may be special circumstances where a player can't perform, but yet you have other players to pull from."
The probable first overall pick of the NBA draft in June, the 7-foot Oden led the Buckeyes to a school-record 35 wins and an appearance in the national championship game in April.
Despite being hampered for the first part of the season with a right wrist injury, the 19-year-old Oden led Ohio State in scoring (15.7 ppg), rebounding (9.6 rpg) and blocks (105).
He finished second in the voting for the Naismith Award to Durant, who became the first freshman to win the award as the top college player.
The 19-year-old swingman was the only player in the nation to rank in the top 10 in the nation in scoring and rebounding.
"Greg Oden and Kevin Durant represent the class of this season's college ranks and are certainly players we have great interest in, both for the present and for future USA Basketball teams," Colangelo said.
Oden was actually invited to join last year's FIBA World Championship squad as a high school senior, but was forced to sit out due to his wrist injury.
Duke's Mike Krzyzewski is the coach, with Syracuse's Jim Boeheim, Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns and the Portland Trail Blazers' Nate McMillan serving as assistants.
Once the team is finalised, Team USA will participate in the 10-team FIBA Americas Championship tournament in Las Vegas from August 22-September 2.
The top two teams will qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
FIBA