Saitama, Japan • August 19-September 3, 2006

The 2006 FIBA World Championship, expanded to 24 teams, proved to be the most competitive and exciting ever with the semifinals featuring four teams- Argentina, Greece, Spain and the United States, all entering with perfect 7-0 records. Spain emerged with its first World Championship title after defeating Greece in the gold medal game, while the U.S. claimed the bronze after beating 2004 Olympic champ Argentina in the bronze medal game.

The USA Team, comprised of players who were part of the 2006-08 USA Senior National Team program, ranked among the top leading teams in almost every offensive category at the 2006 World Championship. The USA ranked first in scoring offense (103.6), first in field goal percentage (.503), first in assists (18.78), first in free throws made (182), first in assist-turnover ratio (1.74), second in scoring margin (+20.4), third in rebounding margin (+5.6), fourth in offensive rebounding (13.11), fifth in 3-pointers made (82), seventh in 3-point shooting percentage (.369). The US team also ranked first in steals (10.78), second in turnover margin (+7.44) and second in blocked shots (4.89).

Competing in preliminary group play in Sapporo, Japan, the Americans opened against a familiar foe in Puerto Rico and behind 21 points from Carmelo Anthony earned a 111-100 victory. Meeting China and NBA all-star Yao Ming next, the US relied on a relentless defense to fuel its offensive effort and the result was a very impressive 121-90 win. Dwyane Wade came off the bench to pace the offensive onslaught with 26 points, the team's youngest member, 20-year-old Dwight Howard, posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds and Anthony also finished with 16 points.

Forcing 25 Slovenia turnovers, the USA paced by Wade's 20 points and LeBron James' 19 points kept rolling and earned a third consecutive victory posting a strong 114-95 victory over Slovenia. Meeting Olympic silver medalist Italy in its fourth game in five days, with the game on the line and the USA in need of an answer, Anthony and Wade stepped up big, big as in a USA scoring record 35 points for Anthony on 13-of-18 shooting and an additional 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting from Wade. Trailing Italy by 12, 48-36, early in the third quarter, Anthony and Wade picked the USA up and carried it to a 94-85 victory over Italy. Closing out preliminary play against Senegal, the USA cruised to a 103-58 victory in an effort led by Chris Bosh who finished with 20 points and James added 17.

Under the new FIBA schedule format, the US now moved into the Eighth Finals. With 16 teams advancing to the Eighth Finals, it was now win or go home and the USA with its Group D first place finish was slated to face Australia.

The USA claimed its sixth straight win and kept its gold medal hopes alive with a decisive 113-73 win over Australia. Anthony paced the American offensive effort with 20 points, Joe Johnson contributed 18 more as all 12 US players scored, including five in double digits. The win advanced the US to the medal round quarterfinals and a date with 5-1 Germany.

Overcoming a chilly shooting night with relentless defensive pressure and domination of the offensive boards, the US outscored Germany 27-13 in the third quarter to break open a tight game and roll to an 85-65 victory in the quarterfinals. Anthony accounted for a game high 19 points. The US outrebounded Germany 48 to 34, including 22-6 on the offensive glass, and the Americans forced Germany into 24 turnovers.

The USA's dream of capturing the Word Championship title ended when a sizzling hot Greek team had too much offense for the USA and posted a 101-95 victory in the semifinals. Anthony led the US effort with a game best 27 points, Wade added 19 points, James tossed in 17.

Showing heart and determination, the USA returned home with the bronze medal and an 8-1 record after handling Argentina 96-81 in the World Championship bronze medal game. USA tri-captains Wade, James and Anthony scored 32, 20 and 15 points respectively to account for 67 of the USA's 96 points. Carrying a seven point lead (69-62) into the fourth quarter, Wade scored 18 of the USA's 27 points in the fourth quarter to make sure that the USA did not let this victory slip through its fingers.

2006 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM ROSTER

2006 USA MEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM CUMULATIVE STATISTICS