Jerry Colangelo
FILE - U.S. player James Brewer is checked after a hard fall during the team's men's basketball final against the Soviet Union at the Olympics in Munich, Sept. 10, 1972. Russia won 51-50. Members of the 1972 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team have talked about finally retrieving those silver medals they vowed to never accept and left behind in Germany. No, they still don't want them for themselves. They believe the medals belong in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, but the latest attempt to get them from the International Olympic Committee has been thwarted. (AP Photo, File)
Efforts to put '72 Olympic medals in hoop Hall thwarted

By Brian Mahoney Sep. 09, 2022 01:31 AM EDT

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr claps for this team during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Friday, Dec. 17, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm)
USA Basketball announces Kerr as next Olympic men's coach

By Tim Reynolds Dec. 20, 2021 12:18 PM EST

United States' players celebrate after their win in the men's basketball gold medal game against France at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
US draws Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico for World Cup qualifying

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 31, 2021 08:31 AM EDT

United States' Kevin Durant (7), left, interacts with head coach Gregg Popovich during men's basketball gold medal game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
EXPLAINER: What's next for the USA Basketball men's program

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 07, 2021 11:06 AM EDT

United States' Kevin Durant (7) drapes himself with a United States flag as he celebrates with teammates after their win over France in a men's basketball Gold medal game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Captain America: Durant makes sure gold medal stays with US

By Brian Mahoney Aug. 07, 2021 03:22 AM EDT

United States' Bam Adebayo (13) waves the United States flag as he celebrates with teammates after their win over France in a men's basketball Gold medal game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Golden, again: US beats France 87-82 for Tokyo title

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 07, 2021 12:37 AM EDT

Slovenia's Luka Doncic, right, is hugged by France's Nicolas Batum (5) after their men's basketball semifinal round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. France won 90-89. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
For the gold: It's the US and France, again, for Tokyo title

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 06, 2021 02:57 AM EDT

United States's Kevin Durant reacts after he collided with another player and hit his face during a men's basketball preliminary round game against the Czech Republic at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
A restrictive Olympics has reminders of NBA, WNBA bubbles

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 04, 2021 05:50 AM EDT

Germany's Andreas Obst (42) celebrates during men's basketball preliminary round game against Nigeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Tokyo Games may send even more international players to NBA

By Tim Reynolds Aug. 04, 2021 12:40 AM EDT

FILE - In this Monday, Dec. 7, 2015, file photo, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame member and chairman of the Board of Directors for USA Basketball Jerry Colangelo talks to the media in Philadelphia. Colangelo guided the U.S. from its darkest days back to the top of international basketball. Now he wants more victory in the Olympics before ending his run leading USA Basketball. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
US-Czech game has major Olympic quarterfinal implications

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 30, 2021 06:50 AM EDT

United States' guard Damian Lillard (6) and coach Gregg Popovich, right, wait for a replay to decide possession of the ball during their loss to France in a men's basketball preliminary round game at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
After fall, Lillard, Adebayo try to help US get up again

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 27, 2021 02:55 AM EDT

United States head coach Gregg Popovich speaks with Damian Lillard (6) during the first half of an exhibition basketball game against Spain in preparation for the Olympics, Sunday, July 18, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Among NBA's best, Popovich still seeks golden touch with USA

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 22, 2021 02:56 AM EDT

Grant Hill speaks during induction ceremonies at the Basketball Hall of Fame, Friday, Sept. 7, 2018, in Springfield, Mass. When the Tokyo Olympics end, Grant Hill will replace Jerry Colangelo and become managing director of USA Basketball’s men’s national team. (AP Photo/Elise Amendol, filea)
After Olympics, Grant Hill to take USA Basketball men's lead

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 21, 2021 12:17 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2006, file photo, Spain team members celebrate after defeating Argentina in the semifinals of the World Basketball Championships in Saitama, Japan. The 2006 world championship was perhaps the last truly wide-open international basketball event. Argentina arrived as the Olympic champion and Spain left as the world champion, the last time for a long while anyone other than the U.S. would hold either title. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
Repeat? Spain reigned, US upset last time Japan hosted hoops

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 21, 2021 10:32 AM EDT

Colangelo seeks golden finish to time leading USA Basketball

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 20, 2021 02:08 PM EDT
Jerry Colangelo recalls it as a watershed year in his life. He sold the NBA’s Phoenix Suns in 2004. He stepped down from the Arizona...

Colangelo seeks Suns win, reinforcements for US Olympic team

By Brian Mahoney Jul. 14, 2021 06:53 PM EDT
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jerry Colangelo is headed to Game 5 in Phoenix, hoping to see his old team win its first NBA title. Getting the series...

United States' Damian Lillard (6) defends the ball against Nigeria during an exhibition basketball game Saturday, July 10, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Shocker: US falls to Nigeria 90-87 in pre-Olympic opener

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 10, 2021 10:14 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2019, file photo, U.S. coach Gregg Popovich talks to players before a Group E match against the Czech Republic in the FIBA basketball World Cup in Shanghai. Kevin Durant and coach Popovich will lead the U.S. team into the Tokyo Olympics as the Americans try to secure a fourth consecutive gold medal. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
US men seeking 4th consecutive Olympic basketball gold

By Tim Reynolds Jul. 02, 2021 01:17 PM EDT

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of Game 6 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, June 3, 2021, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Experience matters: USA Basketball confirms Olympic roster

By Tim Reynolds Jun. 28, 2021 07:38 PM EDT

United States' players react at the bench during a Concacaf Men's Olympic qualifying championship semi-final soccer match against Honduras in Guadalajara, Mexico, Sunday, March 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)
Olympic failures show structural issues for US Soccer, MLS

By Ronald Blum Mar. 29, 2021 06:00 PM EDT