Seattle SuperSonics guard Gary Payton was selected for the U.S. Olympic basketball team on Saturday, replacing injured Glenn Robinson.
Payton, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-Star, helped the Sonics to a 64-18 record and into the NBA Finals, before they were beaten by the Chicago Bulls in six games.During the regular season, he averaged 19.3 points per game, the second-highest total of his six-year NBA career; led the league in steals with a 2.85 average, and ranked 10th in assists with a 7.5 average.
Payton earned All-NBA second team honors each of the past two seasons, made the third team in 1994, and was on the All-Defense first team the past three years.
Hisselection was made by the USA Basketball Senior National Committee. Robinson withdrew from the team June 25 because of tendinitis in his right Achilles tendon.
Following his sophomore season at Oregon State in 1988, Payton participated in the Olympic team trials but did not make the squad.
Previously announced to the Dream Team were Charles Barkley, Anfernee Hardaway, Grant Hill, Karl Malone, Reggie Miller, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal, Scottie Pippen, Mitch Richmond, David Robinson and John Stockton.
The U.S. team plays its first Olympic game against Argentina July 20.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Dream Team in S.L.
Dream Team III, the United States Olympic basketball team, will make a visit to Salt Lake City. The team will play Australia in an exhibition on July 12, a week before the Summer Olympics open.