Bryant tops U.S. Olympic basketball team

CHICAGO, June 23 (UPI) -- NBA Most Valuable Player Kobe Bryant was among 12 NBA players selected for the U.S. Olympic basketball team, U.S. Olympic Committee officials said Monday.

Bryant, of the Los Angeles Lakers, will be joined by Cleveland's LeBron James and point guards Jason Kidd of Dallas, Chris Paul of New Orleans and Deron Williams of Utah.

Also selected were guards Dwyane Wade of Miami and Michael Redd of Milwaukee.

The U.S. frontcourt will go with Denver's Carmelo Anthony, Utah's Carlos Boozer, Toronto's Chris Bosh and Detroit's Tayshaun Prince. Orlando's Dwight Howard was the only true center selected for the team.

The United States has won 12 of the 16 men's Olympics gold medals but Argentina is the defending gold medalist.

The 2008 Olympics are scheduled for Aug. 8-24 in China.