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Following NBA Finals, Irving and Barnes set to join forces in Rio

Following NBA Finals, Irving and Barnes set to join forces in Rio
Posted at 4:27 PM, Jun 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-25 18:27:36-04

A person with knowledge of the details says Kyrie Irving and Harrison Barnes will play for the U.S. Olympic basketball team, filling out the 12-man roster.

Irving and Barnes have accepted spots, the person told The Associated Press on Saturday, two days before the Americans plan to announce the team headed to Rio.

The Americans had received 10 confirmations by Thursday and were holding spots for Irving and LeBron James, who wanted more time to decide after winning the NBA championship. James opted not to play but Irving should be an important player after a number of top point guards withdrew.

Irving was the MVP of the 2014 Basketball World Cup.

The rest of the roster: Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins, Jimmy Butler and DeAndre Jordan.

ESPN first reported Irving would play. Barnes' decision was reported by Yahoo Sports.