Coach K says it's Kobe's team

Kobe Bryant will be the centerpiece of the new-look USA Basketball team that is expected to improve upon a disappointing bronze medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Bryant brings NBA championship credentials and high-powered scoring, joining Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and 20 other players selected Sunday for a possible spot on the world championship and 2008 Beijing Olympic teams.

"It's his time," USA Basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Bryant. "He's 27 years old now. He should try to assume a position of leadership in the team. I would think he's very hungry to do this. I see him fitting in very, very well."

Bryant will be making his Olympic debut. He was supposed to play in Athens, but withdrew because of his sexual assault trial in Colorado. Criminal charges eventually were dropped, and he settled a civil suit with his accuser.

"It's a huge honor," Bryant said. "I'm very proud to be a part of the team and us trying to gain back what we feel is ours — and that's the gold medal."

Bryant is the NBA's leading scorer (35.1), and Coach K is looking forward to coaching him.

"I actually got him to play for me nine years after he should've been playing for me," Krzyzewski said with a laugh during the conference call. "Kobe is one of the guys you want to build around."

Lamar Odom, Shawn Marion, Amare Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade — all members of the 2004 Athens team along with Anthony and James — also were selected to the roster. They'll be joined by Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chauncey Billups, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen and Elton Brand.

National team managing director Jerry Colangelo, who announced the team, was appointed last April. He hired Krzyzewski after the United States finished a disappointing sixth in the 2002 worlds in Indianapolis and third in Athens.

It marked the first time since pro players were added for the 1992 Dream Team that the Americans came home without an Olympic gold medal.

"We wanted a team not of individual stars, but athleticism, shooters, role players and distributors," Colangelo said. "Chemistry is something we all talk about, we seek."

Others on the roster include Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Michael Redd and Luke Ridnour.

College players J.J. Redick (Duke) and Adam Morrison (Gonzaga) also were chosen, and Colangelo said he hopes that 7-foot high school star Greg Oden also will participate in training camp.