9 gold medalists named to USA roster for 2010-12

NEW YORK (AP) — LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant and most of the reigning Olympic gold medalists could be back in U.S. uniforms this summer.

If not, USA Basketball thinks it has plenty of players who can replace them.

The Americans announced 27 players Wednesday for the national team pool that will be used to select the rosters for this summer’s world championships and the 2012 Olympics in London.

It features nine players who stood atop the medals platform in Beijing and a number of emerging young stars ready for their chance.

“The pool is better than the one we had in the last quadrant and the interest level is higher, and so we feel like we’re moving in the right direction,” U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said on a conference call, hours before he led his Duke team against rival North Carolina.

Also returning from the 2008 team that ended the Americans’ eight-year gold medal drought in major competitions are: Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer.

All of the returning players previously told USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo they were interested in coming back after spending all or parts of three years playing for the team that returned the United States to the top of international basketball.

“The reason they’re back is they’re deserving of being back,” Colangelo said.

James, Wade and Bosh are questionable to actually play this summer. All three can become free agents and have said their contract situations are their first priority.

“I really think it’s kind of early, but I think guys still want to play,” Anthony said. “Of course we’ll have that conversation in the near future, but they’ve got to take care of what they’ve got to take care of first, which is their contracts and things like that.”

Paul is sidelined after knee surgery and Bryant is battling a number of injuries, so Colangelo knows he’s not going to get all of his top choices. However, he isn’t worried about that now, saying those decisions can wait until the team readies for its minicamp in July.

“Everything is a matter of waiting. Everyone’s personal situation we’re waiting for next summer. There’s nothing but speculation between now and then,” Colangelo said. “That’s why injuries and family issues and free agency, all of these things play a role. That’s why you need a pool as strong as we had and that’s why we’re happy about it.”