Going for gold: 14 with Utah ties competing in Summer Games

DERON WILLIAMS

The former Jazz point guard will help Team USA take on the world in what promises to be an exciting basketball tournament.

The Texas native and two-time, first-team Big Ten player, was drafted by the Jazz with the third overall pick in 2005. Williams was traded to New Jersey in Feb. 2011, and he recently re-signed with the now Brooklyn Nets.

He is a three-time all-star and was on the 2008 gold medal Olympic team.

He and Carmello Anthony led team USA in a win over the British Olympic team with 19 points each.

Williams told NBC that winning an Olympic Gold medal was the greatest professional accomplishment of his life, and that he's hoping to have that feeling in London.

"It just means so much to win a gold medal, to represent your country, to put on that red, white and blue and have that USA across your chest," he said. "There's no feeling like it when you're standing up there on that podium getting that gold medal and listening to the national anthem. I just want to have a chance to feel that again."

Asked if he thought the U.S. was a favorite in 2012, he said yes.

"You know, anything could happen in the Olympics," he said. "It'll be interesting. You never want to overlook anybody."

ANDREI KIRILENKO

After leaving the Jazz in 2011, Andrei Kirilenko chose to play in his home country of Russia. He won the Euroleague MVP and is immensely popular.

The small forward is expected to sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves, but before he makes his NBA return he will lead the Russian Olympic men's basketball team in London.

At 31, Kirilenko helped the Russian team finish third in the EuroBasketball 2011. In order to qualify for the games, the Russian team had to play in the last-chance tournament held in Venezuela this month.

The Russian men's basketball team finished ninth in 2008.

RAFAEL ALFARO

Swimming in the Olympics is a life-long dream for BYU swimmer Rafel Alfaro.

"I put it in my mind when I was eight and I have had it as my dream ever since," the junior from El Salvador told the Daily Universe. He will compete in the 200-meter individual medley in London.

ANDREW RUTHERFURD

BYU swimmer Andrew Rutherfurd is competing in the men's 100-meter freestyle. The 23-year-old, who has dual U.S. and Bolivia citizenship, broke Bolivia's national record in the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle races.

"We don't have the Super Bowl or anything like that," Rutherfurd told the Daily Universe. "So for us, this is the biggest stage we have and something we all work and train for."

EMAIL: adonaldson@desnews.com

Events

TRACK AND FIELD

Cameron Levins (Canada) SUU

Shalaya Kipp (U.S.) Skyline High

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Deron Williams (U.S.) Utah Jazz

Andrei Kirilenko (RUSSIA) Utah Jazz

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Michelle Plouffe (Canada) U of U

Kim Smith (Canada) U of U

Shona Thorburn (Canada) U of U

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Jake Gibb (U.S.) Bountiful

CYCLING

Arielle Martin (U.S.) Lone Peak High/BYU

SWIMMING

Rafael Alfaro (El Salvador) BYU

Andrew Rutherfurd (Bolivia) BYU

VOLLEYBALL

Logan Tom (U.S.) Highland High

Russell Holmes (U.S.) BYU

Rich Lambourne (U.S.) BYU