The USA Men’s National Team will open the 2016 USA Basketball Showcase facing South American rival and FIBA’s No. 4 ranked world power Argentina in Las Vegas at a site to be announced on Friday, July 22 (all game times are to be announced).
The U.S. will play two exhibition games versus 2015 FIBA Asia zone champ China, the first at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 24 and the second will be held July 26 at Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Continuing its exhibition tour in Chicago, the USA will play on July 29 at the United Center versus 2015 FIBA Americas gold medalist Venezuela and will conclude the USA Basketball Showcase facing 2015 FIBA Africa zone champion Nigeria on Aug. 1 in Houston at the Toyota Center.
“With only a short period of training available, our training and exhibition games are critical in helping us prepare for the challenges we will face in Rio in defending our gold medal,” said Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball chairman and national team managing director. “We’re excited to give USA Basketball fans nationwide the opportunity to see their USA National Team in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago and Houston.”
“Building our team chemistry quickly is vital, and the 2016 USA Basketball Showcase will offer our players and coaches the opportunity to become familiar with each other, to develop chemistry and to gain critical international experience against a variety of differing styles,” said USA and Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “We’ll face some excellent and experienced international teams, which will be important in our preparations. Playing five exhibition games in the United States in front of home crowds will be memorable for our players and fans alike, and we look forward to representing the United States in the best manner we can.”
The 31 finalists for the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team include: LaMarcus Aldridge; Carmelo Anthony; Harrison Barnes; Bradley Beal; Jimmy Butler; Mike Conley; DeMarcus Cousins; Stephen Curry; Anthony Davis; DeMar DeRozan; Andre Drummond; Kevin Durant; Kenneth Faried; Rudy Gay; Paul George; Draymond Green; Blake Griffin; James Harden; Gordon Hayward; Dwight Howard; Andre Iguodala; Kyrie Irving; LeBron James; DeAndre Jordan; Kawhi Leonard; Damian Lillard; Kevin Love; Chris Paul; Klay Thompson; John Wall; and Russell Westbrook.
Source: USA Basketball
