US Men's Basketball Team Roster Finalized for 2016 Rio Olympics

USA Basketball will be missing several key players when it heads to Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but the Red, White and Blue roster is still plenty stacked. 

On Saturday, USA Today's Jeff Zillgitt first reported the full roster, which featured Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and New York Knicks scorer extraordinaire Carmelo Anthony.

USA Basketball confirmed the complete roster Monday:

Player	Team
Kevin Durant	Oklahoma City Thunder
DeMarcus Cousins	Sacramento Kings
Draymond Green	Golden State Warriors
Klay Thompson	Golden State Warriors
Paul George	Indiana Pacers
DeMar DeRozan	Toronto Raptors
Kyle Lowry	Toronto Raptors
Carmelo Anthony	New York Knicks
Jimmy Butler	Chicago Bulls
DeAndre Jordan	Los Angeles Clippers
Kyrie Irving	Cleveland Cavaliers
Harrison Barnes	Golden State Warriors

Head coach Mike Krzyzewski's team could have been positively frightening had LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook and James Harden opted to participate, but their deferrals opened the door for a slew of Olympic newcomers to shine in the spotlight instead.

For those wondering about Kevin Love, ESPN.com's Marc Stein, citing sources, reported Sunday that he received an invite but declined following the Cleveland Cavaliers' lengthy postseason.

USA Basketball provided Krzyzewski's thoughts following the roster reveal:

"

I'm anxious to get on the court, and along with my great coaching staff, get to work. Since 2006 and including the last two Olympics, our players have represented themselves, the game and our country in an exemplary manner. I know this team will continue that standard.

Looking at this team, our overall balance is what strikes me. We have lightning-quick guards who can score as well as distribute the basketball. We have great shooters and explosive scorers, we're big and athletic, and I think we'll really be able to defend.

"

Other than Durant and Anthony, every player on the roster will be participating in his first Olympic Games. However, that's not to say the roster is devoid of international experience.

Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan and Cousins were all key members of Team USA's 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup squad that took home a gold medal in Spain, and they will undoubtedly be called upon to play big roles after their successful run two summers ago.

Irving, in particular, figures to be a focal point of Team USA's attack. Not only did he play for Krzyzewski at Duke, but the newly minted NBA champion and 2014 World Cup MVP is one of just two true point guards on the roster along with Lowry.

But in terms of leadership responsibilities, the onus figures to fall on Durant and Anthony.

Durant collected his first gold medal when the Stars and Stripes ran roughshod over the competition at the 2012 Olympics in London, while Anthony is seeking to become the first men's basketball player in history to collect gold on three occasions, per Newsday's Al Iannazzone.

"Not too many people can say they played in four Olympics and have a chance to win three gold medals. Not too many people can say that," Anthony said, per Iannazzone. "To me, that's the way I look at it and the way I approach the Olympics."

The United States may not blitz opponents with star power the way it has in the past, but with shooters galore and the most athletic big men in the game, the two-time defending gold medalists should be heavy favorites to capture a third straight first-place finish when play starts August 6.