Hinrich on U.S. team

Former Jayhawk seizes second chance

J-W Staff and Wire Reports, Thursday, July 13, 2006

Chicago — Former Kansas University guard Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday landed a spot on the U.S. Senior National Men’s Basketball Team. The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder from Sioux City, Iowa, is one of 24 players who will gather July 19-25 for training camp in Las Vegas. In all, 12 players will be invited to resume training on July 31 and compete for the U.S. in the World Championships in August in Japan, and, down the line, the Olympic Games. Ex-Jayhawk Paul Pierce is also one of the U.S. team members, but may not be able to compete because of possible elbow surgery slated for this summer.

“I know how big a deal this is,” Hinrich said Wednesday. “Hopefully, in the end, we will win and ultimately put us in a great position for the Olympic Games and bring back the title to the U.S., where it belongs.” Hinrich was first asked to join the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team in February, but he declined. Given a second chance by Olympic managing director Jerry Colangelo, he jumped on the offer this week.

“I initially turned down the opportunity,” Hinrich said. “But that was during the middle of a long season, and I was focused on what we were trying to do then. After the season ended, I gave it some more thought. I wanted to make sure that my initial decision was not something that I was going to regret.”

The Chicago Tribune indicated Hinrich would have a great shot not only to make the team, but possibly be starting point guard. The U.S. point guards are Hinrich, Gilbert Arenas, Chris Paul, Luke Ridnour and Chauncey Billups. Prior commitments will keep Billups from playing in the World Championships.

Hinrich is considered a better defender than Arenas and perhaps the best passer on a team with scoring perimeter players in LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant. Hinrich could be the type of point guard the U.S. needs to distribute the ball. “I’m just excited to have this opportunity to try out and be a part of it all,” Hinrich said. “This is a great opportunity on a lot of fronts; there will be great players, tremendous competition, and the chance to represent my country.”

Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski is head coach for the U.S. team. His assistants are: Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, Phoenix’s Mike D’Antoni and Portland’s Nate McMillan. “I’ve always thought that Coach K was one of the greatest coaching minds in the world, and I’m excited to be able to have the chance to play for him,” Hinrich said.

The U.S. team will play an exhibition against Puerto Rico on Aug. 3 in Vegas and compete in a five-team world basketball challenge on Aug. 11-15 in Seoul, Korea. The World Championships are Aug. 19-24.

“I just want to focus on the upcoming tryouts now,” Hinrich said. “I’ll be playing against the best players in the world and representing our country. My goal is to go out and play well, give it my all and enjoy the whole experience. Our team has incredible talent, and I look forward to doing anything I can to contribute to make the team as good as it can be. I love my country, and the opportunity to bring home a gold medal is a dream come true.”

Hinrich, a third-team All-America pick his senior season at KU (2002-03) averaged a career-high 15.9 points a game with 6.3 assists in 81 games last season with the Bulls. He also grabbed 3.6 rebounds with 1.2 steals per contest while shooting shooting career highs of 41.8 percent from the field, 81.5 percent from the foul line and 37.0 percent from three-point range. During Chicago's six playoff games in 2006, Hinrich upped his numbers to 20.5 points, 7.7 assists. and 1.33 steals per game.

“Kirk is a terrific addition to our USA Senior Team,” Krzyzewski said. “He is an excellent passer and the kind of guard who excels in an up-tempo offense. He just completed his third NBA season and it is obvious he is getting better each season and his best is yet to be seen.”