SEATTLE -- New Seattle SuperSonics coach P.J. Carlesimo will
lead a team of young NBA players who will be preparing the United
States national team for the FIBA Americas championship later this
month.
Carlesimo will be getting an early chance to coach Jeff Green,
the Sonics' fifth overall pick from June's draft. Green is one 10
players USA Basketball chose Monday for its Select Team.
Team USA's 12-man roster will be determined while it scrimmages
against the Select Team during a final training camp Aug. 15-21.
The 10-nation FIBA Americas tournament runs from Aug. 22-Sept. 2 in
Las Vegas and is one of five qualifying zone tournaments for the
2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Carlesimo, most recently an assistant with San Antonio who will
begin his first season as Sonics coach this fall, served as an
assistant coach with the 1992 U.S. Olympic "Dream Team." He has
been a head or assistant coach of five other USA Basketball teams.
"We're pleased that we'll have a presence with USA basketball
as they prepare for the FIBA Americas Championship," Sonics
general manager Sam Presti said. "We are honored that USAB is
recognizing core members of our organization as they build teams
for the future."
Besides Green, Carlesimo will be coaching Seattle native Aaron
Brooks (Houston Rockets), LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail
Blazers), Monta Ellis (Golden State Warriors), Channing Frye
(Portland Trail Blazers), Devin Harris (Dallas Mavericks), Andre
Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers), Al Jefferson (Minnesota
Timberwolves), Jason Kapono (Toronto Raptors) and David Lee (New
York Knicks).
"P.J. Carlesimo will coach the USA Select Team and is a perfect
fit because he has so much USA Basketball experience," said USA
Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo. "His willingness to
do this is very much appreciated especially since he just accepted
the Seattle SuperSonics head coaching job."