Team USA Basketball Roster: John Wall, Paul Millsap And Bradley Beal Cut From The Team! Candidates Down To Sixteen! Who Will Make The Final 12?

Team USA Basketball is close to forming the Final 12. They have announced some players that are out of contention which places the number of candidates to 16.

The first report came from Adrian Wojnaroski of Yahoo Sports:

"USA Basketball cut Washington Wizards guards John Wall and Bradley Beal and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap on Monday, reducing its roster to 16 in advance of this month's World Cup of Basketball in Spain, sources told Yahoo Sports."

The point guard spot is probably the most cut throat of all the positions. There are five point guards listed and they are all quality players. One of the most intriguing players on the national pool is Derrick Rose. He's a former NBA MVP and the only remaining player from the 2010 USA team that won the FIBA event aside from Kevin Durant.

Rose came off multiple injuries that had him sidelined in all but ten games in the past two NBA seasons. This would be his first official return to competitive basketball. Most observers thought that he is just there for practice. There were also some who suggested that he would quit after he witnessed Paul George's gruesome injury in their scrimmage last weekend.

But Rose is rumored to be a lock for the point guard position-he might even start. Most of the feedback were positive and Coach Mike Krzyzewski places a premium on experience in international competition-something this pool is lacking.

There are only five players with prior international competition in this pool: Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, James Harden and Anthony Davis. More than half of the team will be composed of first timers who still need to get accustomed to FIBA rules and the international style of play.

Team USA will face a proud and hungry Spanish team who are composed of NBA talents with extensive international competition like Marc and Pau Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Ricky Rubio, Jose Calderon and Rudy Fernandez.