Duke Coaching Staff Heading to Vegas

Photo credit about.com

Fresh off winning his fourth National Championship, Duke Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski heads off to begin the defense of his other recent title, the Olympic Gold he won in Beijing in 2008.

Starting July 19th, Coach K, Coach Chris Collins, and Coach Steve Wojciechowski (Nate James will stay behind in Durham) will all head off to begin their second jobs, as coaches of the USA Olympic team. The following players are confirmed to be on the court from the 19th to the 24th:

Confirmed to be on the court in Las Vegas are Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Chandler; Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Jeff Green (Oklahoma City Thunder); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); David Lee (Golden State Warriors); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Robin Lopez; Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Rondo; Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Amar’e Stoudemire (New York Knicks); Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats); and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).

During the USA Training Camp, there will be daily practice sessions from noon to 3 PM (PDT) at UNLV's Cox Pavilion. The five-day event will end with a "Blue-White" Intrasquad Scrimmage at 7 PM (PDT) on July 24th at the Thomas and Mack Center, also on the UNLV campus. If you're in the area, you can get tickets either by calling 866-388-FANS or visiting www.UNLVtickets.com.

August 12th, selected members of the USA Team reconvene in New York City for the very exciting World Basketball Festival. If you're in New York, you absolutely have to check this out: http://www.slamonline.com/online/news-rumors/other-news/2010/06/nike-usa-basketball-debut-world-basketball-festival/

WBF tips off with a showcase featuring members of the 2010 USA Basketball National Team on an open-air court in Times Square (Broadway between 47th & 48th), along with an unprecedented performance by a surprise musical act. (Yes, they’re laying down the hardwood in the center of Times Square.) From there, the next two days will feature games at the legendary Rucker Park in Harlem, where open-air practices and scrimmages by the National Teams from Brazil and Puerto Rico, and training by France, will be mixed with a grassroots youth tournament serving as the championships for some of New York’s top summer basketball leagues.

The Festival will conclude with an exciting exhibition double-header featuring the United States taking on France (1 p.m.) and China meeting Puerto Rico (3:30 p.m.) at famed Madison Square Garden. The exhibition games are being utilized as part of the teams’ preparation for the 2010 FIBA World Basketball Championship in Turkey, which runs August 28 to September 12.

WOW! Can Coach K defend the Olympic Gold while defending the 2010 National Championship? If there's a coach out there that can, it's him...