Today Chicago 2016 is excited to congratulate three Chicago natives who are going to Beijing this summer as part of USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team. They are Dwyane Wade, Olympic team member and Miami Heat guard; Jerry Colangelo, USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team managing director and chairman of the Phoenix Suns; and Mike Krzyzewski, longtime Duke men’s basketball coach and head coach of Team USA. In addition, team member Deron Williams, who grew up in Texas, attended the University of Illinois.
Dwyane Wade grew up on the South Side of Chicago and still spends much of his time in the city. He recently hosted a basketball camp at Richards High School, his alma mater, in Oak Lawn through his Wade’s World Foundation. Wade, an NBA all-star, was also part of the medal-winning 2004 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team.
Jerry Colangelo is originally from Chicago Heights and earned his degree at the University of Illinois, where he was also captain of the basketball team. In his role as managing director of the USA Basketball Senior Men's National Team program, which he assumed in 2005, Colangelo has been responsible for selecting the USA Senior Men's National Team coaching staff and players. He also oversees the team’s competitive preparations, including training and exhibition games.
Mike Krzyzewski grew up in Chicago and attended Weber High School. He has been head coach of the Duke men’s basketball team for 27 years and is a 12-time National Coach of the Year. Krzyzewski was inducted into the U.S. Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001. It was announced in 2005 that Krzyzewski would be the head coach of the USA Basketball Senior Men’s National Team program.
“This city is known as one of the best sports towns in the world and has been home to superb athletes for numerous years. We are continually thrilled to see Chicago natives make it all the way to the Olympics, and in 2016 we would truly be proud to see the Games come home to Chicago.” said Patrick Ryan, CEO and chairman of Chicago 2016.
The United States followed a new selection process for the 2008 Olympic team. USA Basketball required a pool of 24 players to make a three-year commitment leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games in China. The 12-member 2008 Men’s Senior National Team was announced on June 23 at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago.
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About Chicago 2016
Chicago 2016 is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to seek the privilege of hosting the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Chicago. The committee’s board comprises business, civic, athletic, cultural and academic leaders representing Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region. Patrick Ryan serves as chairman and CEO. Contact: Mica Matsoff, 312-861-4826, media@chicago2016.org.
About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago’s international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area’s youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago’s 2016’s Athlete Advisory Counsel (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy as a real agent of social change for the city.