ISTANBUL, Turkey, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- Kevin Durant will lead a U.S. team looking for a second straight international crown Saturday on the opening day of the World Basketball Championships.
Team USA won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing two years ago with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and a squad filled with superstars.
None of the 12 players on that team will be present in Turkey when the Americans go after the world title.
Instead, Durant will be in the spotlight as part of a team that includes Lamar Odom, Andre Iguodala, Derrick Rose and Chauncey Billups. Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski will guide the Americans as he did in Beijing.
The field for the world championships include 24 teams, divided into four groups. The United States has been placed in Group B and will play its five preliminary round games in Istanbul.
A dozen games will be played across the country Saturday with the Americans opening their schedule against Croatia at 12 p.m. EDT.
The United States will then play Slovenia, Brazil, Iran and Tunisia. The top four teams from each group will advance to the knockout phase of the tournament, which begins on Sept. 4. The championship game will be played in Istanbul Sept. 12.
Other highlight attractions Saturday will find defending world champion Spain meeting France, Russia taking on Puerto Rico and Greece facing China.
