Toronto forward Chris Bosh, who is enjoying a career season this year with the Toronto Raptors, had another honor bestowed upon him this morning when he was among 27 players named to the 2010-2012 United States men's national basketball team.
Bosh, who was a member of the 2008 squad that steamrolled its way to the gold medal in Beijing, is one of nine players from that team to be renamed to the new squad by USA Basketball.
The selections were announced by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colagelo.
"This is another important step in the reassembling of the USA National Team for the next three years of competitions that will include the FIBA World Championship in 2010, and if we qualify, the 2012 Olympics in London," Colangelo said in a statement. "Unlike 2006-08 when we were first starting the program, this time we have the benefit of including players who were members of the last national team, while also incorporating players who were involved in our pipeline the last couple of summers."
Colangelo added that "special recognition and acknowledgement needs to go to the nine players returning from our 2008 Olympic Team. They have demonstrated that they are the heart and soul of our program and their commitment to continue to represent their country should not be overlooked."
Bosh, who will represent the Raptors at the National Basketball Association all-star game this weekend in his home town of Dallas, is leading Toronto with 24.4 points and 11.4 rebounds per game so far this season.
Returning to the USA National Team for 2010-12 along with Bosh are fellow 2008 Olympic gold medalists Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).
Rounding out the list of Olympians on the national squad roster are 2004 Olympic bronze medalists Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) and Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).
Completing the list of the U.S. National Team players are LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Al Jefferson (Minnesota Timberwolves); David Lee (New York Knicks); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Kendrick Perkins (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).