USA - Team USA looks to keep 'Coach K'

From azcentral
Download source here

The process of building the latest version of Team USA is in full swing and that includes securing the coach who led the men's basketball team to gold in the 2008 Games in Beijing.

Jerry Colangelo, managing director of USA Basketball, said Tuesday he is scheduled to meet with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski in Chicago next week to gauge his interest in returning.

"I want to give him as much time as he needs," Colangelo said. "I want him to feel comfortable. His gut says, 'Let's go,' but he really wants to be sure."

Colangelo was encouraged during NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix four months ago when he met with six members of the 2008 team and all said they were interested in returning.

A minicamp will be held in Las Vegas in July to look at potential players. Among those invited are Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy, Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo and Oklahoma's Blake Griffin, the likely top pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Because the team's gold medal meant automatic qualification for the 2010 World Championship in Turkey, Team USA will not compete in the FIBA Americas Championship beginning in August in Puerto Rico.

"We feel we have a good thing going right now," Colangelo said. "USA Basketball is clicking on all cylinders and there's been a major cultural shift in that kids 15 and 16 are saying they want to be part of it."

Meanwhile, USA Basketball's new headquarters and training center are about to break ground in Glendale, Colangelo said.

"It's a wonderful time for us," he said.