July 29, 2010

WASHINGTON - Former Georgetown University men's basketball All-American Jeff Green was one of 15 players, and one of three from the Oklahoma City Thunder, to make the first cut for the United States Men's National Basketball Team.

The USA Basketball selection committee narrowed its roster from 19 players to 15 players on Wednesday and Green will be one of 15 players seeking to represent their country at the World Championships in Turkey in late August. Team USA will be seeking its first world title since 1994.

In addition to Green, two of his teammates from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, both made the cut.

The announcement was made by USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo following four days of training and an intra-squad exhibition game that were held July 19-24 in Las Vegas, Nev.

Named as finalists for the USA World Championship Team were Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks); Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Green (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Rajon Rondo (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); and Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

The 15 finalists will reassemble Aug. 9 in New York City and train there Aug. 10-16. The official 12-man USA roster that will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship must be submitted to FIBA at the technical meeting that normally is held the day prior to the start of the competition.

The 2010-12 USA National Team coaching staff is led by Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, and features as USA assistant coaches Syracuse University's Jim Boeheim, New York Knicks head mentor Mike D'Antoni and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.

"That's one of the reasons why he's still part of the 15 is his versatility," Krzyzewski said during Wednesday's teleconference. "He did a good job in the scrimmage even playing at the five. Jeff's another one of the Oklahoma City players that have been there almost every summer. Durant started with us and Westbrook and Green's been there every summer. They're just good guys who work hard and want to win. His attitude is tremendous."

Green earned All-American honors and was named BIG EAST Player of the Year, Most Outstanding Player of the BIG EAST Tournament and Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA East Regional during the 2006-07 season, leading the Hoyas to a 30-7 record and to the Final Four. The 6-9 forward was tabbed a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and National Association of Basketball Coaches. He led the team in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per game, and was second in both rebounding (6.4) and assists (3.2).

Green closed out his Georgetown career ranking 17th on Georgetown's all-time scoring list with 1,339 points, a 13.1 per game average. He also stands 16th all-time in rebounding, grabbing 664 total, a 6.5 per game average (which is tied for 19th in rebounding average). Green also ranks 12th all-time in assists with 319, a 3.1 per game average.

Green became the 37th player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark for his career during the 2006-07 season. In scoring at least 1,000 points and grabbing 600 rebounds, he became one of only two players in Georgetown history to reach those figures, joining Reggie Williams (1983-87) in that elite group.