Tags: Olympics | USA

Basketball stars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Durant headline the squad that the United States will send to London for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Injuries to Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, LaMarcus Aldridge and Chris Bosh helped to change some of the complexion of the team. The squad still has several key members from the team's gold-medal performance at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing and has also mixed in several key contributors from the 2010 FIBA World Championship-winning team.

Blake Griffin, James Harden and Andre Iguodala earned the last three spots.

Also in consideration were: Anthony Davis, Rudy Gay and Eric Gordon.

The trio of Davis, Gay and Gordon will be alternates that could serve as replacements if an injury occurs to a player on the roster. The roster can be changed up until 48 hours before the opening of the 2012 London Olympic games on July 27.

"As the dust settles, I'm proud to say that we've put together in my opinion a terrific team with great athleticism and great versatility and we believe we're going to be successful," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said at a press conference introducing the squad.

The team will be coached by Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski. (USAToday)
 

THE ROSTER

Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks)

Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)

Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks)

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)

James Harden (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers)

LeBron James (Miami Heat)

Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers)

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets)

The preliminary round starts on July 29th; check out the complete schedule HERE.