The (Not So) Little Team That Could: Exhibition Victories

Colorado Springs, Colo. - March 9, 2010

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Sixteen finalists were named on July 11, and by the USA's July 18 clash against France in Monte Carlo the roster was down to 15. When the U.S. downed France 93-63, critics thought maybe it was a fluke. Then the red, white and blue dispatched Spain 95-78 the following day and people began to take notice. Sports Illustrated even sent out Ian Thompson to cover the team's final exhibition game for a feature that dubbed the squad the ‘Dirty Dozen,' along with a headline that read: The retreads and rejects representing the U.S. in Athens may not be a Dream Team, but they do have a Dream.

-Coach Tomjanovich did a great job in the whole process and (made) the chaos surrounding the whole event much more bearable," said Alexis. -Again, it was a little disheartening to be brushed aside and be called the ‘Nightmare Team' and ‘No Name Team.' But the guys that we had certainly didn't feel that way. It was a good mix of young players and veteran players that came together. We kind of adapted the USA against the world, literally, attitude."

The final 12-member team was announced on July 23, two days prior to its final exhibition game. The squad moved to Rome for a match against a strong Italian team, and the USA came out on top in a tough battle, 80-75, to keep its exhibition stretch perfect.

-This is the real Dream Team," David Wood, a 10-year veteran of the NBA, CBA and European leagues, stated at the time. -Because nobody here had a dream they could make the team."

Unfortunately, Michigan State's heralded guard Mateen Cleaves injured his ankle during the game against Italy and was unable to compete in Athens. Duke University's Trajan Langdon, who had been one of the final players cut and has since gone on to a very successful career in Russia, got called back to Europe by USA Basketball.

Langdon, who arrived back in Durham late afternoon and was home for just a few short hours before he got the call from USA Basketball's Jim Tooley.

-I remember getting a call late during that night saying that Mateen turned his ankle and if I would be interested in returning to the team," Langdon wrote in an email from Moscow, where he currently is in the hunt for another EuroLeague title. -They said that there was a flight the next morning for Athens. I didn't think twice about it. I didn't have time to unpack anyway so I got back on the plane and was excited about the prospect of rejoining the team."

With Langdon inserted back into the lineup, the squad went about final preparations for the World Championship.

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