NBA Finals Rivals Irving, Barnes, Thompson, Green, Durant On U.S. Olympic Basketball Team
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- With the NBA Finals behind them former rival players from Golden State, Cleveland and Oklahoma are now on the same team: USA.
The U.S. basketball team has its roster for Rio.
Kyrie Irving and Harrison Barnes accepted spots on the team to fill out the Americans' 12-player Olympic squad, a person with knowledge of the details said Saturday.
The decisions come two days before the Americans plan to announce the team in New York. They were confirmed to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because roster details were to remain private.
The Americans had received 10 confirmations by Thursday and were holding spots for Irving and LeBron James, who wanted more time to decide after winning the NBA championship. James opted not to play but Irving should be an important player after a number of top point guards, including Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Chris Paul, withdrew from consideration.
Irving was the MVP of the 2014 Basketball World Cup.
Once James passed on what would have been a fourth Olympics, the Americans settled on Barnes, who becomes the third Golden State player on the team. The swingman shot poorly in the NBA Finals as the Warriors lost to Cleveland in seven games.
The rest of the roster: Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, New York's Carmelo Anthony, Toronto's Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, Indiana's Paul George, Golden State's Draymond Green and Klay Thompson, Sacramento's DeMarcus Cousins, Chicago's Jimmy Butler and the Clippers' DeAndre Jordan.
It's not as experienced as recent U.S. teams, as only Durant and Anthony have played in the Olympics. The Americans lost a number of potential selections to injuries or other reasons in recent months, including James Harden, Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin.
Anthony will set a record by playing on his fourth U.S. team and could become the most decorated Olympic men's basketball player ever if he helps the Americans to a third straight gold medal.
ESPN first reported Irving would play. Barnes' decision was reported by Yahoo Sports.
TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
