Anthony accepts Olympic invitation

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DENVER, June 23 (UPI) -- Denver forward Carmelo Anthony on Wednesday accepted an invitation to join the U.S. Olympic basketball team.

Eight days after helping Detroit capture the NBA championship, teammates Ben Wallace and Richard Hamilton cited fatigue and safety concerns and rejected their invitations, the Detroit Free Press reported.

While teams cannot comment until the roster is announced, Wallace and Hamilton would join Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal in bypassing the Olympics. The American squad will be coached by Detroit's Larry Brown.

Anthony, the runner-up for NBA Rookie of the Year honors, issued a statement through the Nuggets in which he called playing for his country a "great honor."

"I can't tell you how excited I am to play for Coach Brown and with the great players USA Basketball has put together," Anthony said.

Anthony joins Rookie of the Year LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal and Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson among those who have accepted invitations.