USA Men's National Team To Face Spain In Exhibition Game

-- Meeting Will Be First Since Exciting 2008 Olympics Gold Medal Game "

Feb. 12 , 2010 - Colorado Springs, Colorado

USA Basketball and the Spanish Basketball Federation today announced that men's world basketball powers United States and Spain will meet in an August exhibition game in Spain in preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Championship that is being held August 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey.  Specifics on the exhibition game will be announced at a later date.

The game will be a rematch of the memorable 2008 Olympic gold medal game the USA won 118-107.

-I'm sure this will be an exciting and memorable game for all basketball fans.  Spain's record and accomplishments in international competitions, especially over the last several years, speaks for itself and the USA-Spain rivalry has developed into something special because of outstanding basketball games that have been played between the two teams, especially the gold medal game at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Our training in Spain and the exhibition game will be a critical period in helping our newly formed team be better prepared for the 2010 World Championship," said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

-We couldn't face a better opponent than Spain as we prepare our team for the 2010 World Championship. Spain is a team we have great respect for and they'll be among the favorites to again win the World Championship.  They were an outstanding team in 2006 when they captured the FIBA World Championship and they were again excellent in the 2008 Olympics," said USA Basketball Chairman and Managing Director of the national team program, Jerry Colangelo.

-As is evident by the five Spanish players currently playing for NBA teams and their other talented players involved with professional teams in the EuroLeague, Spain is a team that is deep and very talented.  They have played together for several years which helps makes them an excellent basketball team."

José Luis Sáez, President of the Spanish Basketball Federation, expressed satisfaction after reaching an agreement with the United States that -will allow Spain to host a game that is the best possible event in basketball right now. We will be proud to welcome a team that is considered to be the best in the world; a rival on the court but a great friend off the court." 

Spanish National Team head coach Sergio Scariolo declared that -the game against the United States will close our preparation stage for Turkey´s World Championship. For obvious reasons it´s impossible to find a stronger and more prestigious rival.  The result won´t be significant but the fans will enjoy a spectacular evening full of great basketball; an exhibition game with such good players that it´s almost impossible to find a game like this between international teams."

-Facing the U.S. again is a privilege," said Ricky Rubio, starting point-guard of the Spanish National Team in the final game of the Beijing Olympics.   -I had the opportunity to play the final game in Beijing in 2008; it was a great performance from both teams, who played at their highest level. I´m eager to repeat, I don´t mind if it´s an exhibition game."

Rubio, the youngest player to ever win an Olympic medal in basketball, added that -it will be an extraordinary game in order to measure our basketball shape before the World Championship in Turkey. To play against the U.S. is always an honour and a great chance to learn from the best players. It will be a great show, the kind that turns a person into a basketball fan."

-Hosting a game of this magnitude will put our country in the spotlight of the basketball world," said Jaime Lissavetzky, Spain´s Secretary of State for Sports.  -A game that involves the world´s two best teams is a top-notch sport event, but above all it´s an event that will reach beyond the court, an event that will be enjoyed before and after the game itself. This game is a reaffirmation of the excellent shape of the world of sports in Spain, where basketball clearly stands out." 

The USA-Spain exhibition will be the first matchup between the two powers since the 2008 Olympic gold medal game that has been described as one of the greatest international games ever played.  The USA fought off a determined Spain squad 118-107 to earn gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Two years earlier, while the U.S. finished third at the 2006 FIBA World Championship after being stopped by Greece (101-95) in the semifinals, the Spaniards rolled over Greece 70-47 to claim World Championship title.

Spain, currently ranked No. 3 in the world by FIBA, won the 2009 EuroBasket title after easily defeating Serbia 85-63 in the championship game, captured the silver medal in Beijing at the 2008 Olympic Games, placed runner-up after being nipped 60-59 by Russia  in the 2007 EuroBasket championship game,  and won gold at the 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan.

Since NBA players became eligible to participate in FIBA competitions, the USA has compiled a 5-1 win-loss record versus Spanish national teams in official FIBA competitions.       

The only previous time a USA Basketball National Team comprised of NBA players met Spain in an exhibition game came in 2000 prior to the Sydney Olympic Games.  The USA defeated Spain 95-66 in the opening game (9/5/2000) of the Super Dream Games 2000 in Saitama, Japan.

2010-12 USA Basketball National Team
  Twenty-seven players were announced on Feb. 10 as members of the 2010-12 USA Basketball's Men's National Team including 2008 Olympic gold medalists 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); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). Rounding out the list of Olympians on the national squad roster are 2004 Olympic bronze medalists Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) and Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).

Completing the list of National Team players are LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Al Jefferson (Minnesota Timberwolves); David Lee (New York Knicks); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Kendrick Perkins (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

The USA Basketball Men's National Team Program is again headed by Colangelo, Phoenix Suns and USA Basketball Chairman who also again serves as Managing Director of the USA Men's National Team.

A smaller group of U.S. National Team members are expected to be selected to participate in the 2010 USA National Team's opening training camp in July. Exact training dates and locations for the USA National Team training in 2010 will be announced at a later date.

Since first fielding a USA Basketball team of legendary NBA stars in 1992, USA Basketball National Teams comprised of NBA players have claimed gold medals in 10 of 13 major international basketball competitions, while compiling an impressive 100-7 overall record (.935 winning percentage) in those international competitions and a record of 33-1 (.971 winning percentage) in exhibition games.

2010 FIBA World Championship
The 2010 FIBA (International Basketball Federation) World Championship for Men will be held Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey. Twenty-four teams will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Men and those 24 qualified teams were divided into four preliminary round groups consisting of six teams each.  The United States was drawn on Dec. 15 into preliminary round Group B and is joined by Brazil, Croatia, Iran, Slovenia and Tunisia.

Composition of the other preliminary round groups are: Group A, which will play in Kayseri, consists of Angola, Argentina, Australia, Germany, Jordan and Serbia.  Group C will play in Ankara and features China, Greece, Ivory Coast, Puerto Rico, Russia and host Turkey.  Group D games will be held in Izmir and that group includes Canada, France, Lebanon, Lithuania, New Zealand and defending World Champion Spain. 

The U.S. will open the ‘10 Worlds on Aug. 28 against Croatia, a team it is has never faced in World Championship play, but a squad the USA is 3-0 versus in Olympic action.  Facing its second European team in as many days, the Americans on Aug. 29 will meet Slovenia, a team it defeated 114-95 in 2006 World Championship preliminary play in their only prior World Championship meeting.  FIBA Americas Zone champion Brazil will challenge the U.S. on Aug. 29.  The USA-Brazil World Championship series stands at 6-5 in favor of the United States with the two teams' last meeting in the 1998 World Championship.  Following a day off on Aug. 31, the USA resumes play Sept. 1 against Asia Zone champ Iran, then closes out preliminary play with a contest versus Tunisia on Sept. 2, another team that the Americans have not faced before in the World Championships

Held every four years and considered international basketball's diamond event, the U.S. has had mixed results in World Championship play.

Claiming the bronze medal with an 8-1 record in 2006 when the championship was held in Japan, the U.S. last claimed gold at the 1994 World Championship in Toronto, Canada, with a team comprised of NBA all-stars.

All told, the USA has won 10 medals in World Championship play - three gold medals (1954, 1986 and 1994), three silver medals (1950, 1959 and 1982) and four bronze medals (1974, 1990, 1998 and 2006). USA teams have compiled an overall 105-27 win-loss record in the World Championships for a 79.5 winning percentage.