The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Aldridge, Durant named finalists for 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team
01.16.2012 | Men's Basketball
Jan. 16, 2012
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Basketball announced Monday the selections of Texas-Exes LaMarcus Aldridge (2005-06) and Kevin Durant (2007) as two of the 20 finalists for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team. The 12-man team will be finalized later this year.
Aldridge, now in his sixth season with the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers, is a member of the 2010-12 USA Men's National Team. He was a member of the 2008 USA Basketball Men's Select Team that trained and scrimmaged against the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team.
An All-NBA Third Team selection last season, Aldridge is off to a solid start in the 2011-12 season. Aldridge is averaging a career-best 22.8 ppg and 7.8 rpg in 12 games.
Durant, now in his fifth season with the NBA's Oklahoma City Thunder, helped the USA to a gold medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship. Durant was named the MVP of the 2010 FIBA World Championship and was selected to the five-member All-World Championship Team. He started all nine games and averaged a team-best 22.8 ppg.
In 2010, Durant became the youngest player ever to lead the NBA in scoring (30.1 ppg). He was selected to the All-NBA First Team for a second consecutive season in 2011 while winning the league's scoring title once more. Durant has averaged 25.8 ppg in 13 games this season.
