Team USA Roster Invitees Announced

Every Four Years, the best athletes on the planet get together in one place to participate in sport. This is done in a show of freindship and good will. Basketball is one of those sports that can bring people together from all around the world. On the international stage, Team USA has been one of those nations that is on a level by itself. Team USA has taken home a medal in every Olympics they have participated in (except the boycott of 1980). One Silver (1972), two Bronze (1988 and 2003) and 14 Gold medals line the USA halls. Each year that the USA has won gold, they have run the table with a perfect record.

On Monday, head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff, announced the list of 30 names who are up for selection for Team USA for the Rio Olympics. Here's the full list:

Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs), 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), 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).

A solid list and collection of talent that would scare the tar out of anybody who would go against this team. That being said, there were some big names that have been left off this list. Tyson Chandler, Deron Williams and Kobe Bryant are the three players from the 2012 London Olympics who were not on the 30-man list. With this being Kobe's final season in the NBA, he decided to pull out of consideration for this year Olympics. Chicago’s Derrick Rose, who won championships in the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cups, was not on the 30-man roster. Portland’s Damian Lillard, Miami’s Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, who both won gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, are also not among the finalists. Mason Plumlee, who played in the 2014 World Cup, is not on the list, joining Rose as the two players from that team not among the 30 players in contention for Rio.

The 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be held August 5th through the 21st in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.