Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams Named to USA Senior National Team

Boozer to make second consecutive Olympic appearance, Williams to make first

SALT LAKE CITY (June 23, 2008) – USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo announced today that Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer and guard Deron Williams have been named to the 2008 Senior National Team roster that will compete in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Williams, in just his third NBA season, earned his first career All-NBA honors (Second Team) after averaging 18.8 points, 10.5 assists (3rd in NBA) and 3.0 rebounds while appearing in all 82 games. He also shot .507 from the floor and posted 52 double-doubles (T-4th in NBA). He became just the third player in NBA history to have 1500+ points, 800+ assists and shoot .500 or better in a single season (Magic Johnson – 1986-87, ’88-89; Kevin Johnson – 1988-89). The University of Illinois product will make his first appearance in the Olympic Games after playing on the Team USA entry during the FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas during the summer of 2007.

The 6-3, 208-pound point guard dished 212 assists in March, the most by any NBA player in any month since John Stockton in January 1992, and already ranks fourth on the Jazz’s all-time assists list. He also won the 2008 NBA PlayStation Skills Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend.

A two-time NBA All-Star, Boozer also earned his first All-NBA honors (Third Team) after leading the Jazz in both scoring and rebounding, finishing the season with averages of 21.1 points (18th in NBA), 10.4 rebounds (8th in NBA) and 2.9 assists, while shooting .547 (9th in NBA) in 81 games. He was one of only three players in the league to rank in the top 20 in scoring, rebounding and field goal percentage (Dwight Howard, Amaré Stoudemire). He was also one of only four players in the league to average 20+ points and 10+ rebounds (Howard, Al Jefferson, Antawn Jamison), and the only one to do it each of the last two years. The Juneau, Alaska, native will make his second appearance in the Olympic Games after helping the 2004 squad to a bronze medal at the Games in Athens.

Williams and Boozer are the first Jazz players selected to the Senior National Team since Karl Malone and John Stockton were named to the 1996 squad. The two were also named to the 1992 “Dream Team” that featured Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Earvin “Magic”Johnson.