(Sports) Editor's Note

Williams is in

Posted by: Jim Rossow

Monday, June 23, 2008 10:02 AM

He's starred at point guard for a Final Four team and an NBA contender.
Now former Illini Deron Williams will get a chance to perform on an even bigger stage.
Williams today was named to the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team. He'll join 11 other NBA players at the Beijing Games in August.
USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo, a former Illini, and coach Mike Krzyzewski announced the roster this morning. Williams is one of three points guards on Team USA, joining Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets.
Williams has enjoyed success at every level of basketball, leading Illinois to a runner-up finish in the 2005 NCAA tournament and the Utah Jazz to back-to-back playoff appearances. He told The News-Gazette last week that an Olympic gold medal would mean as much as an NBA championship.
"Why can't I get both?" Williams said. "The gold medal is first because it's now. Then after we get the gold, the goal will be an NBA championship."
Williams is one of two former Illini to make the Olympic cut in as many days. On Sunday, gymnast Justin Spring was added to the U.S. team headed to China.
The U.S., which won a bronze medal at the 2004 Games, opens Olympic play against China on Aug. 10. The gold medal game is Aug. 24.
The Americans are scheduled to begin training camp this weekend in Las Vegas.

Comments

Be the first to share your opinion!

Previous Entries

• 8/19/2008
  More on recruiting
• 8/17/2008
  Recruiting wrap
• 8/16/2008
  Programming notes
• More…