Fuente: © FIBA (Federación Internacional de Basket)
http://www.fiba.org/

FIBA: USA - Krzyzewski confirmed in Team USA post

/noticias.info/ COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA World Championship 2006) - USA Basketball has turned back to the collegiate ranks in a bid to return to the top of the world game.

Duke's Mike Krzyzewski was officially confirmed as coach for Team USA on Wednesday, putting him in charge of the men's teams that will play in the FIBA World Championship 2006 in Japan and the 2008 Olympics.

The move comes in the wake of consecutive disappointments for the Americans, who lost in the quarter-final of the FIBA World Championship 2002 and grabbed bronze at the Athens Olympics in 2004.

When Team USA finished sixth in 2002, it marked the first time the team did not win gold since being comprised of NBA players in 1992.

The decision to bring in Krzyzewski is a bold first step in a new direction for USA Basketball engineered by Jerry Colangelo, who was named managing director in April.

Colangelo, the chief executive officer of the Phoenix Suns, has stated that changes in both the selections of players and coaches needed to be made to turn around the program.

"Mike Krzyzewski is the right man at the right time," Colangelo said.

"His professional record speaks for itself. His loyalty and commitment to his country is more than self evident and his success as a leader of men is also a part of who he is."

Krzyzewski, 58, is the first college coach to guide the Americans since the original "Dream Team" coasted to the gold at the Barcelona Olympics.

"For me, this is the ultimate honor in coaching," Krzyzewski said.

"It is a chance to represent the United States at this elite level of basketball. I am honored to be chosen and look forward to the opportunity to develop this team that will represent our great country in its own sport, both on and off the court."

Krzyzewski, who has guided Duke to three national championships, has been involved with eight previous international squads.

In 1992, he served as an assistant on the Olympic team under former Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly.

Reported to be the main candidate earlier in the month, Krzyzewski's selection was approved by USA Basketball's executive committee.

"This is a banner day for the great game of basketball in our country," USOC chairman Peter Ueberroth said. "Mike Krzyzewski is one of the most respected coaches in the game, and he is an outstanding choice to lead the USA Basketball men's team for the next three years." notas_de_prensa_archivo