After the injured Grant Hill pulled out of the US Olympic basketball team, the USA Basketball selection committee made the decision that Shareef Abdur-Rahim of the Vancouver Grizzlies would take his place.
Abdur-Rahim's agent confirmed Wednesday that the star forward will accept the position, according to The Associated Press.
A member of the selection committee told The AP, on the condition of anonymity, that Abdur-Rahim was a unanimous choice.
Abdur-Rahim aged 23, averaged 20.3 points and 10.1 rebounds for the Grizzlies last season. The 6-foot-9 former Californian star can play either forward position for the Olympic team, backing up large stars Alonzo Mourning, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Vin Baker.
The rest of the US team includes Jason Kidd, Tim Hardaway, Steve Smith, Allan Houston, Gary Payton, Ray Allen and Vince Carter.
The US team begins training in late August and the Sydney Games will be held from mid-September to October 1 - (Agencies)
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