USA Basketball Trims Roster to 15

LeBron James already knew he would be on the U.S. national team’s 15-man traveling roster when Coach Mike Krzyzewski announced it Tuesday.

Yet James still got a thrill from hearing he’s definitely headed to Asia for next month’s FIBA World Championships.

Adam Morrison, Luke Ridnour and Shawn Marion -- who has a minor knee injury -- were not among the players selected for the roster by Krzyzewski and Managing Director Jerry Colangelo after a weeklong training camp. Led by James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, the club will travel west in 10 days on a quest to put USA Basketball back on top of the world.

“I wasn’t sweating, but it makes basketball a lot more fun when you’re with a great team, and when you’re around guys you know,” James said as the players left for a short break before resuming camp Monday. Amare Stoudemire and Kirk Hinrich were the only moderate surprises on the 15-man roster, which will play warmup games in Las Vegas, China and Korea before opening the World Championships in Japan.

The roster also includes Gilbert Arenas, Shane Battier, Chris Bosh, Bruce Bowen, Elton Brand, Dwight Howard, Antawn Jamison, Joe Johnson, Brad Miller and Chris Paul.

Marion, Morrison and Ridnour weren’t cut from the U.S. team in the new selection system championed by Colangelo -- they just weren’t included on this roster. Kobe Bryant, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce, all of whom couldn’t play next month because of injuries or family commitments, still are candidates for future U.S. teams as well.

After three more days of workouts, the club will play an exhibition against Puerto Rico in Las Vegas before heading for Asia. Krzyzewski must trim the roster to 12 players by Aug. 18 -- one day before his club begins the World Championships in Sapporo.