Rondo, Chandler, Robin Lopez added to US roster; 21 expected at training camp

Rondo, Chandler, Robin Lopez added to US roster

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Rajon Rondo could play for the United States after all.

The Boston Celtics point guard was among three players added to the new-look national team roster on Thursday and will take part in training camp next week in Las Vegas.

Newly acquired Dallas center Tyson Chandler and Phoenix center Robin Lopez also were selected and will be among the 21 players who will compete for a chance to play for the Americans in the world championships in Turkey from Aug. 28-Sept. 12.

None of the 2008 Olympic gold medalists were on the list, with many already saying they planned to take the summer off because of injuries or personal reasons. Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, heads the list of those keeping their commitments to suit up.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said when the original roster was chosen in February that Rondo had declined to participate. However, he later said there may have been some miscommunication.

Rondo could battle for a spot at the point with All-Stars Derrick Rose and Chauncey Billups, plus Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook.

Billups and Chandler played for the Americans in 2007 in the Olympic qualifier, as did Amare Stoudemire, who is also on the roster.

Colangelo said in a statement that the additions “help give us the talent and depth required in making sure we field the very best USA Basketball teams possible.”

The remainder of the training camp roster includes: the Lakers’ Lamar Odom, Golden State’s Stephen Curry and David Lee, Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo of Memphis, Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans of Sacramento, Indiana’s Danny Granger, Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, the Clippers’ Eric Gordon, Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace, Brook Lopez of New Jersey, Minnesota’s Kevin Love and Jeff Green of Oklahoma City.

The Las Vegas camp runs from July 19-24. Selected players will then reassemble in New York next month for more training before leaving for Europe.