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Gregg Popovich named Team USA Basketball Men’s National Team Head Coach for 2017-20

USA Basketball makes wise choice in bringing Pop onboard.

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will be taking over for Mike Krzyzewski in 2017 to become the next coach of the USA Basketball Men's National Team, it was announced today.

"I'm extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to represent our country as the coach of the USA National Team," said Popovich in an official statement. "What the program has accomplished over the last decade under the leadership of Jerry Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski is truly impressive. I will do my utmost to maintain the high standards of success, class and character established by Jerry, Coach K and the many players who have sacrificed their time on behalf of USA Basketball."

Krzyzewski will have a special advisory role, with Jerry Colangelo continuing on as USA Men's National Team Managing Director.

All three will serve until 2020, which will cover all training camps, and if the team qualifies, the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China and the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

"I'm absolutely delighted to announce Gregg Popovich as head coach of the USA Basketball Men's National Team for 2017-20," said Colangelo. "There is no doubt in my mind that we have the great fortune of bringing on board one of the NBA's best and most successful coaches ever to lead the USA National Team for the 2017-20 quadrennium. By making this decision now, it will allow us to have a clean, efficient and immediate transition following the 2016 Olympic Games.

"Obviously this is an incredibly exciting step for the USA Basketball Men's National Team program as we will transition following the 2016 Rio Olympics from one of the game's greatest coaches in Mike Krzyzewski to another of basketball's greatest coaches in Gregg Popovich. This progression plan will also help ensure that our National Team will continue to build on the culture and success we have achieved since launching the program."