USA-NBA DREAM TEAM IV (1998)

THIRTEENTH FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP -- 1998

Athens, Greece

July 29-August 9, 1998

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 22, 1998) -- NBA sensational rookie Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs) and nine year NBA veteran Tim Hardaway (Miami Heat) were named today to fill the final two roster positions for the 1998 USA Basketball Men's World Championship Team. The player selections were made by the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Committee.

The first 10 members of the 1998 USA World Championship Team who were announced on October 30, 1997, included: Vin Baker (Seattle SuperSonics); Terrell Brandon (Milwaukee Bucks); Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves); Tom Gugliotta (Minnesota Timberwolves); Grant Hill (Detroit Pistons); Allan Houston (New York Knicks); Christian Laettner (Atlanta Hawks); Gary Payton (Seattle SuperSonics); Glen Rice (Charlotte Hornets) and Chris Webber (Sacramento Kings).

Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich had previously been selected as head coach of the 1998 USA Basketball World Championship Team, and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Del Harris, George Washington University (D.C.) head coach Mike Jarvis and University of Illinois head mentor Lon Kruger will serve as assistant coaches.

The 1998 FIBA World Championship for Men take place July 29-August 9 in Athens, Greece. Held every four years by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the World Championship is contested by 16 national teams.

"We have a very versatile team; this is a very athletic team with good penetrators. We have some great point guards and great outside shooters, especially in Glen Rice and Allan Houston. I think we can establish a fast break style of play, but we will also be able to set up half-court both offensively and defensively. We have great big men that are multi-talented, they can post-up and move out on the floor. It's going to be a fun team to work with," said USA head coach Tomjanovich.

"Tim (Duncan) is a great young player, in fact, I think we can take the word young out of that sentence. I think Tim is one of the best players in the league right now. Hardaway is a tough minded player and a great leader. He will be able to make big plays both offensively and defensively," added Tomjanovich about the final two players.

A leading candidate for 1998 NBA Rookie of the Year honors, Duncan, completed the 1997-98 regular season averaging a double-double for the San Antonio Spurs and found himself ranked among NBA Top 20 leaders in five statistical categories. Averaging 21.1 points (13th in the NBA) and 11.9 rebounds a game (3rd in the NBA), he also ranked fourth in field goal percentage (54.9%), sixth in blocked shots (2.51 bpg.) and 14th in minutes played per game (39.1 mpg.).

No newcomer to USA Basketball, Duncan has been a member of three previous USA Basketball teams, including the gold medal winning 1996 Men's COPABA 22 & Under World Championship Qualifying team (13.8 ppg., 9.4 rpg., 2.4 bpg.), the 1995 gold medal winning World University Games team (8.7 ppg., 6.3 rpg., 2.9 bpg.), and the 1994 bronze medal winning Goodwill Games team (3.8 ppg., 5.0 rpg.). Twice as a member of a USA Basketball team, Duncan has faced in exhibition games USA Basketball teams consisting of NBA players. Meeting the 1994 USA World Championship Team on July 31, 1994, although the Dream Team captured a 113-75 victory, Duncan, playing against the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, recorded eight points and five rebounds. Two years later, as a member of the USA's 22 & Under World Championship Qualifying Team, Duncan and his fellow collegians threw a big scare to the 1996 USA Dream Team on July 6, 1996. Leading for the majority of the game, the USA collegians eventually came out on the short end 96-90, but Duncan, this time playing against future Spurs teammate David Robinson, O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon, finished with nine points and a team high six rebounds.

Hardaway in 1997-98 ranked 21st in NBA scoring averaging 18.9 points a game, sixth in assists averaging 8.3 a game, 19th in steals with a 1.68 average, and is also grabbing 3.7 rebounds a game. A five-time NBA All-Star choice, including 1998 and 1997, Hardway in 1997, for the first time in his career, was an All-NBA first team selection.

Named by USA Basketball on October 9, 1993 as one of the first 10 members of the 1994 USA Basketball World Championship Team, just 12 days later, October 21, Hardaway tore the anterior cruciate ligament in left knee during training camp, missed the entire NBA season and was unable to compete with the USA squad.

The 1998 USA Basketball World Championship Team is the fourth men's squad to consist of NBA stars. The 1996 USA Olympic Team, consisting of 12 NBA players, finished 8-0 and won the gold medal in Atlanta, the 1994 USA World Championship Team, also featuring 12 NBA players, finished 8-0 to capture the gold medal in Toronto, Canada, and the 1992 USA Olympic Team, the original Dream Team, made up by 11 NBA standouts and one collegian, finished 8-0 to also claim the gold medal.

By virtue of the USA's gold medal performance in the 1996 Olympics, the U.S. earned an automatic berth in the 13th World Championship and will compete during the preliminary round in Group C with Brazil, Lithuania and South Korea. Making up Group A is Greece, Canada, Italy and Senegal, while Group B consists of Japan, Puerto Rico, Russia and Yugoslavia, and competing in Group D is Australia, Argentina, Nigeria and Spain.

The preliminary round play is a round-robin format and the top three teams from each preliminary group advance to form two groups consisting of six teams each. Each team's results against teams advancing from its preliminary group carries over to the next round standings and each team will play the other three teams in the second round group whom they have not faced previously. The top four teams from those two groups will then advance on to the August 7 medal round quarterfinals, with semifinals and finals action being held August 8 and August 9.

The USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team Committee, which is responsible for the selection of the 1998 USA Men's World Championship coaching staff and players, consists of 10 members and a non-voting chair. Rod Thorn, NBA Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations, serves as chair of the Committee. Seven of the Committees 10 voting members were appointed by the NBA and include Mike Dunleavy, head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers; Wayne Embry, President/COO, Team Division of the Cleveland Cavaliers; John Gabriel, General Manager of the Orlando Magic; Ernie Grunfield, President and General Manager of the New York Knicks; Kevin McHale, Vice President of Basketball Operations of the Minnesota Timberwolves; Wes Unseld, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Washington Wizards; Wally Walker, President and General Manager of the Seattle SuperSonics. Rounding out the Committee is NCAA appointee Mike Krzyzewski, head men's basketball coach at Duke University (N.C.), and athlete representatives Clyde Drexler, 1992 Olympian, and Billy King, 1987 USA World University Games member.

Ex-official members of the committee include Russ Granik, President of USA Basketball and Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer of the NBA; Quinn Buckner, USA Basketball's Vice President for Men; and Billy Hunter, Executive Director of the National Basketball Players Association and USA Basketball Board of Directors member.

1998 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROSTER

1998 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM