Carter in for Bryant on qualifying team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) -- Vince Carter was named to the U.S. Olympic qualifying team Monday, replacing Kobe Bryant.

Bryant withdrew from the team last week because of shoulder and knee surgery. The Los Angeles Lakers star still plans to play for the U.S. team at the 2004 Olympics if the Americans qualify.

Carter led the U.S. team in scoring at the 2000 Olympics, averaging 14.8 points per game and shooting 50.6 percent as the Americans won the gold medal.

"It is a wonderful honor to once again be representing USA Basketball," said Carter, who plays for Toronto.

Carter has been slowed by knee injuries since the Sydney Games and averaged only 20.6 points last season -- his lowest total since his rookie season -- in just 43 games.

Also on the U.S. team are Seattle's Ray Allen and Nick Collison, Sacramento's Mike Bibby, Elton Brand of the Los Angeles Clippers, Tim Duncan of San Antonio, Philadelphia's Allen Iverson, New Jersey's Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson, Karl Malone of the Lakers, Tracy McGrady of Orlando and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal.

The team opens training camp in New York on Aug. 10.

 

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