Melo among 17 expected for U.S. minicamp
Associated Press
Published July 17, 2007 at midnight
Kobe Bryant headlines the list of 17 players who are expected to report for U.S. national team minicamp this weekend in Las Vegas. Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is also among the 17.
The three-day camp on the campus of UNLV will be used to select the finalists for next month's FIBA Americas tournament, the regional qualifier for the 2008 Olympics. The roster must be trimmed to 12 players before the tournament starts on Aug. 22.
There are 32 players in the national team program, but 15 are unavailable for minicamp, leaving the Americans with fewer players than expected. Coach Mike Krzyzewski said last week he thought 18 or 19 would be in camp.
Bryant, the league's scoring champion, had knee surgery last summer and was unable to play in the world championships, where the Americans finished third. LeBron James, Anthony, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Shane Battier and Kirk Hinrich are the only players from that team scheduled to take part this weekend.
They will be joined by Chauncey Billups, Amare Stoudemire and Michael Redd, all members of the program last summer but unable to participate. Kevin Durant, Jason Kidd, Mike Miller, Tyson Chandler, Tayshaun Prince, J.J. Redick and Deron Williams will also attend.
Dwyane Wade and Greg Oden are among the players who can't play because of injuries or other reasons, though Wade, one of the team captains, is expected to be in Las Vegas. Elton Brand, a key member of last year's team, and Shawn Marion are among the recent injury withdrawals.
The Americans will train for two days before dividing up the roster for a blue-white game on Sunday.
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