Lakers’ Kobe Bryant gears up for first FIBA Championship Game against Venezuela on Aug. 22

As ten teams prepare for the 2007 FIBA Championships, U.S.’s Senior National Team - for the first time boasting LA Lakers’ forward Kobe Bryant - will open with a game against Venezuela on Aug. 22. The championships will narrow down two teams for the 2008 Olympic Games being held Aug. 8-24 in Beijing, China. In 1996, the U.S. automatically qualified as the host for the games and therefore did not participate in 1995’s qualifying tournament. The teams are currently enduring training in Las Vegas, Nevada until the series of games begin, which will include the U.S. vs. Virgin Islands, Canada, followed by several more countries in back to back match-ups. According to the official International Basketball Federation’s Web site, the last cuts for the men’s Senior National Team was Aug. 13 and training will last through Aug. 21.

About a month ago, Bryant stood out during the 2007 State Farm Basketball USA Basketball Challenge, also held in Las Vegas, put up the winning basket during a 14′ jumper above the foul line with: 06 left in the game. Bryant’s team USA came out 105-104 over the 17 other USA players vying for a position on the senior team. More than 15,000 spectators crowded into the Vegas arena, witnessing Bryant’s first time tryout for the Olympic squad. “It’s been a great couple of days,” Bryant said in an interview with FIBA.com. “It’s a start. We understand that it’s a first step and obviously we still have a long way to go but these couple of days were great to get familiar with one another and play within a system and a structure.” As the championships progress, Laker fans will be sure to continue tracking Bryant’s success and as the NBA season gets ready to open, fans should be sure to get their Lakers tickets at StubHub.com.

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