Team USA’s only goal: gold

Dwyane Wade apparently is healthy enough to play for a shot at a gold medal.

Jason Kidd isn't too old to try to win a second gold.

Carmelo Anthony isn't seeking a trade to Russia or some other country in an attempt to upgrade from the bronze medal he won in 2004.

On Monday, all was well with Team USA as the official 12-man roster was announced in Chicago. Following leaks to the media in the past week, there was little drama to the announcement of the roster that will represent the United States at the Olympics in Beijing. The final roster must be turned in to the U.S. Olympic Committee by July 1.

Anthony, the disgruntled star forward of the Denver Nuggets, heads the list along with superstars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. The trio led Team USA to an Olympic berth with their dominating play at last year's FIBA Americas qualifying tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The three will be joined by Kidd, the 35-year-old veteran point guard who won gold at Sydney in 2000 and is popular with teammates for his ability to get them open shots with pinpoint passing.

Wade, who says his ailing left knee is fine after surgery, will be in the backcourt, along with rising stars Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

Rounding out the roster are big men Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, forwards Carlos Boozer and Tayshaun Prince and zone-busting shooting guard Michael Redd.

The team will convene Friday in Las Vegas and practice Saturday at Cox Pavilion. Practice is closed to the public.

Team USA will return to Las Vegas on July 20, train at Valley High School from July 21 to 24, then face Canada in an exhibition at the Thomas & Mack on July 25. The Canada-U.S. game will be the only chance for the public to see the team play on American soil before the Olympics.

The Americans' first game in the Olympics will be Aug. 10 against host China. Team USA will look to rebound from its bronze-medal finish at Athens in 2004, though only three players on this team -- Anthony, Wade and James -- were on the Athens roster.

Wade and Anthony told The Associated Press on Monday that they didn't know what to expect in Athens.

"I've always seen greatness in the Olympics, but that was never one of my dreams," Wade said. "I never really expected to be on the Olympic team, especially in my first year. I didn't have a clue what I was getting into. ... Now we respect the game so much. We respect the team basketball that they play internationally so much."

Anthony saw the 2004 Games as a chance to have "some of the best workouts in the summertime with the best players in the world" and went there thinking "the USA is supposed to win everything."

"Going through that experience really helped me to learn the international game," Anthony said.

Jerry Colangelo, senior national team managing director, said after 2004 there was a need to "change the culture and change the structure" of the team.

"It culminated (Monday) with the selection of the final roster," he said. "We're really enthused about the makeup of this team."

Duke coach Mike Krzyzew-ski, the team's head coach, said he also likes the makeup of the roster.

"We're a team already," he said. "The thing that this program has done is provide continuity and relationships. We'll hit the ground running.

"It's a program worthy of winning, Our players are excited. They enjoy being together. They want to represent the United States. They want to win."

Wade's inclusion might have been the toughest call. Colangelo went to Chicago last week to see firsthand how Wade's knee was progressing before making the decision to include him on the final roster.

"I wanted to see above and beyond what I was told," Colangelo said. "I saw the explosion was there and I was convinced he'll be ready to go. By no means was it a tryout. But I'm glad I made the trip to Chicago."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.