Posted on 07/28/2003 3:49:14 PM PDT by randita
Denver Post
Carter replaces Kobe Bryant on national team By Scott Soshnick
c.2003 Bloomberg News
Monday, July 28, 2003 - Toronto Raptors forward Vince Carter was named to the U.S. National Basketball Team, replacing Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant, who is charged with sexually assaulting a 19-year- old woman, withdrew from the team that will participate in next month's Olympic qualifying tournament while he recovers from knee and shoulder operations.
Carter, a four-time NBA All-Star who appeared in only 43 games last season because of injuries, was a member of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. The 26- year-old averaged 20.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season.
"It is a wonderful honor to once again be representing USA Basketball," the 26-year-old Carter said in a statement.
Carter was chosen after other National Basketball Association players turned down an invitation, people familiar with the situation said. Among those asked were Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks and Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns.
The U.S. team, which will be coached by Detroit's Larry Brown, includes two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Jason Kidd of the New Jersey Nets, Tracy McGrady of the Orlando Magic and Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The U.S. team is scheduled to begin training Aug. 10 for an Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico next month. The U.S.
must qualify for the 2004 Summer Games in Athens after finishing sixth at last year's World Basketball Championship.
Bryant Although he won't play in the qualifying event, Bryant said in a statement last week that he "remains 100 percent committed" to playing in Athens.
Bryant faces from four years to life in prison if convicted of sexually assaulting a woman at a Colorado hotel on June 30.
The five-time NBA All-Star also could receive 20 years' probation, prosecutors said.
Bryant, who is married and has a 6-month-old daughter, said he had sex with the woman but didn't assault her. Because of his physical problems, Bryant's availability for the qualifying tournament was in question even before he was arrested on July 6.
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