Chris Paul Named to Olympic Team

USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo announced today that New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul was selected to the 2008 Men’s Senior National Team to represent the United States in the Aug. 8-24 Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China. Paul is one of 12 players who were approved by the USA Basketball Executive Committee, and will be nominated to the United States Olympic Committee to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games."It is a true blessing to be selected to Team USA," Paul said. "I am humbled by the selection and am proud to be able to represent the Hornets, the city of New Orleans and the United States at the Olympics. It has always been a dream of mine to play in the Olympics and representing my country is the ultimate honor."Joining Paul on the team are Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz), Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks), Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons), Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat), and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).“This has been, to say the least, an extremely difficult selection process. The 33 players who committed to be part of the USA Senior National Team program and have been involved in our various training camps and competitions the past two summers deserve recognition and acknowledgment for their contributions and for their commitment to their country,” said Colangelo. “The 12 players selected have incredible talent, and more importantly, we think this team has excellent leadership; great versatility and balance; and very good chemistry which are critical parts in building a great team. I believe this team is a team all Americans can and will be proud of.”Paul was a member of the 2006 team that captured the bronze medal and finished with an 8-1 overall record in the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Satiama, Japan. Paul averaged a team-high 4.9 assists to go along with 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 23.7 minutes of play.“I am thrilled for Chris to be selected to the team,” Hornets owner George Shinn said. “I couldn’t think of anyone better to represent not only the Hornets, but the city of New Orleans, state of Louisiana and our great country.”Paul led the Hornets to their first Southwest Division title and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Paul paced the league in assists (11.6 apg) and steals (2.7 spg), becoming the first player since John Stockton in 1992 to lead the NBA in both categories the same season. He also averaged a team-high 21.1 points per game. 2008 USA Men's Senior National Team Roster
NAME
POS
HGT
WGT
DOB
CURRENT TEAM/COLLEGE or HIGH SCHOOL
Carmelo Anthony
F
6-8
230
5/29/84
Denver Nuggets/Syracuse University
Carlos Boozer
F
6-9
258
11/20/81
Utah Jazz /Duke University
Chris Bosh
F
6-10
230
3/24/84
Toronto Raptors/Georgia Tech
Kobe Bryant
G
6-6
220
8/23/78
Los Angeles Lakers/Lower Merion H.S. (PA)
Dwight Howard
F/C
6-11
265
12/08/85
Orlando Magic/Southwest Atlanta Christian Acd. (GA)
LeBron James
F
6-8
240
12/30/84
Cleveland Cavaliers/St.Vincent-St. Mary H.S. (OH)
Jason Kidd
G
6-4
212
3/23/73
Dallas Mavericks/University of California
Chris Paul
G
6-0
170
5/06/85
New Orleans Hornets/Wake Forest University
Tayshaun Prince
F
6-9
205
2/28/80
Detroit Pistons/University of Kentucky
Michael Redd
G
6-6
215
8/24/79
Milwaukee Bucks/Ohio State University
Dwyane Wade
G
6-4
212
1/17/82
Miami Heat/Marquette University
Deron Williams
G
6-3
205
7/26/84
Utah Jazz/University of IllinoisManaging Director: Jerry Colangelo Head Coach: Mike Krzyzewski, Duke UniversityAssistant Coach: Jim Boeheim, Syracuse UniversityAssistant Coach: Mike D'Antoni, New York KnicksAssistant Coach: Nate McMillan, Portland Trail BlazersTeam Physician: Sheldon Burns, Minnesota TimberwolvesAthletic Trainer: Keith Jones, Houston Rockets Athletic Trainer: Casey Smith, Dallas Mavericks