With Decisions To Make, Americans Set For Training Camp

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Hornets guard Chris Paul and 17 other players will begin competing to earn one of 12 open spots on the roster for the US national basketball team. <br/><br/>A total of 24 players are on

Wednesday, July 19th 2006, 4:57 am

By: News On 6

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Hornets guard Chris Paul and 17 other players will begin competing to earn one of 12 open spots on the roster for the US national basketball team.

A total of 24 players are on the US roster, but six are being held out because of injuries or personal reasons.

That leaves LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony battling for one starting forward spot while Amare Stoudemire and Phoenix Suns teammate Shawn Marion compete for the other.

About 15 players will be chosen to travel to Asia, and only 12 will be on the roster for the world championships in Japan next month.

Even those who don't make the team will remain in the program through the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Other guards at the training camp that starts today include Dwyane Wade, Gilbert Arenas, Chauncey Billups, Kirk Hinrich, Michael Redd and Luke Ridnour. Kobe Bryant and J-J Redick will miss the camp with injuries.