Colangelo preparing for 2010 World Championship

All 12 members of the 2008 gold medal winning Olympic team will be invited back to participate in the USA Basketball program for the next three years. We know that one, 36-year-old Jason Kidd, won't be accepting the invitation. But it's possible that the other 11 will all be on the list of candidates for the 2010 FIBA World Championship, to be played in Turkey next August.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo recently conducted a conference call with his coaching staff to discuss players and is in the process of contacting players and their agents about their participation for the World Championship and beyond. He expects to release a list of 25-27 players who have made the commitment to USA Basketball "after the holidays."

LeBron James, whom Colangelo plans on meeting with when the Cavs visit Phoenix on Monday, will likely be on the list. As will Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Colangelo believes that any players that are free agents next summer "are going to take care of their business pretty quick." They may not be able to participate in the Team USA's mini-camp in July, but should have contracts when the team reconvenes in August before leaving for Turkey. The World Championship doesn't begin until Aug. 28.