"It means a lot to represent my country. I don't necessarily feel pressure, but just being here is a big accomplishment. It means a lot to know that you get to wear USA across your chest. All the accomplishments, all the all-star games you play in, this is bigger than that."
Rondo says he feels he's one of the best defensive players on the team and that his knowledge of the game also helped him get a spot on the team.
"We have a good team. We have a lot of depth with a lot of great plays so we won't get tired," Rondo said. "Teams won't be able to outrun us in the fourth quarter. That's a great thing to have on your team. We also have great athletes."
LSU's Glen Davis also made the team, but Ronnie Brewer of Arkansas was one of four players who did not survive the final cut.
Also making the team were Wake Forest's Justin Gray and Charlotte's Curtis Withers, who played on the under 20 Tournament of the Americas gold medal team last year.
The USA team will stay in Dallas until Monday before leaving for Argentina. The team is now playing in the 2005 Global Games.
"I'm really amazed at the humility of the group and the class that they bring," Martelli said in a release from USA Basketball. "They have been well schooled by their college coaches, and I think they've all been raised properly because they all talk about being very appreciative of the opportunity of being able to represent their county, their schools, their programs and their families. I think those are good values and it's a good core to have to start with on any team.
"There's nobody being let go who wasn't a good player. I never want to be in a position to take away somebody's dream or their aspirations. It was not easy (deciding who to cut)."
Also named to the team were Duke's J.J. Redick, Temple's Mardy Collins, Nevada's Nick Fazekas, Connecticut's Rudy Gay and Marcus Williams, Oklahoma's Taj Gray, Villanova's Allan Ray and Syracuse's Terrence Roberts.
Kentucky senior guard Patrick Sparks started his quest Thursday to land a spot on the USA squad that will play in the World University Games.
Fifteen players are trying out in Colorado Springs and a final roster cut will be made over the weekend before the team leaves for Turkey.
Villanova's Jay Wright is coaching the team Sparks hopes to make.
