Carmelo, LeBron among 30 finalists for 2016 Olympic men’s team
USA Basketball announced 30 finalists for the 2016 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team on Monday.
Among the finalists are three-time Olympic medalists Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. Also vying for a spot on the team are former gold medal winners Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis.
The group features 18 players who have won 29 Olympic or FIBA Basketball World Cup gold medals and six bronze medals.
Kobe Bryantannounced on Saturday that he would not play in the Rio Olympics. The Los Angeles Laker is set to retire at the end of the 2015 season.
Also absent from the list are Derrick Rose and Mason Plumlee, who were both a part of the 2014 FIBA World Cup team.
“Repeating as gold medalists at the 2016 Olympics will not be easy, but we feel confident that we have 30 finalists who offer amazing basketball abilities and special versatility,” said USA managing director Jerry Colangelo.
The full list of finalists is below.
LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs)
Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)
Harrison Barnes (Golden State Warriors)
Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards)
Jimmy Butler (Chicago Bulls)
Mike Conley(Memphis Grizzlies)
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings)
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors)
Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans)
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)
Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons)
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)
Rudy Gay (Sacramento Kings)
Paul George (Indiana Pacers)
Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)
James Harden (Houston Rockets)
Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz)
Dwight Howard(Houston Rockets)
Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors)
Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers);
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
DeAndre Jordan (Los Angeles Clippers)
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)
Kevin Love(Cleveland Cavaliers)
Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)
Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors)
John Wall (Washington Wizards)
Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)
