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Iverson reportedly not on Team USA roster for worlds, 2008 Olympics

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The Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson apparently won't have a second chance for a gold medal.
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SportsTicker
updated 2:29 p.m. ET March 1, 2006

Shaquille O’Neal apparently just has to say the word and he will become a member of Team USA. Allen Iverson and Lamar Odom are willing to play but out of luck.

According to an ESPN.com report Wednesday, Team USA has finalized its initial list of 22 NBA players for this summer’s World Championships, and 2004 Olympics bronze medalists Iverson and Odom are not on it.

ESPN.com acquired its list from league sources.  The lineup officially will be announced Sunday by team director Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski.

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Three younger players - likely guard J.J. Redick, who stars for Krzyzewski at Duke, Gonzaga forward Adam Morrison and star Indianapolis high school center Greg Oden - will be added at a later date.

Five bronze-medal winning Olympians from Athens - Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, Phoenix Suns duo Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James - are among those reportedly in, as is guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA’s leading scorer.

O’Neal, who ended a long-running feud with former Lakers teammate Bryant earlier this season, reportedly has a standing offer to join the team.

According to the report, the other players on the list are Washington’s Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison, former Duke stars Shane Battier of Memphis and Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers, Seattle teammates Rashard Lewis and Luke Ridnour, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Toronto’s Chris Bosh, defensive stopper Bruce Bowen of San Antonio, Orlando’s Dwight Howard, Dallas’ Josh Howard, Atlanta’s Joe Johnson, Sacramento big man Brad Miller, New Orleans rookie Chris Paul, Boston’s Paul Pierce and Milwaukee sharpshooter Michael Redd.

Odom, a versatile forward on the Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers superstar guard Iverson had told USA Basketball they wanted to play again for the squad but apparently have been snubbed.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Tuesday that Iverson’s agent was informed by USA Basketball that he would not be among the players named to compete for spots on the team that will be participating in the World Championships and the 2008 Olympics.

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Iverson - a co-captain on the 2004 Olympic squad - told the newspaper Monday night that his agent, Leon Rose, had heard from USA Basketball that the guard would not be receiving a contract that would commit him to the squad for the next three years.

“I think Leon told Mo (76ers coach Maurice Cheeks) that they weren’t inviting me,” Iverson told the paper before Monday night’s 104-92 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

After a training camp this summer, the roster will be whittled to 15 players, then trimmed to 12 for the World Championships, which begin August 19 in Japan.

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