SALT LAKE CITY — Mehmet Okur might finally get a Utah Jazz teammate or two to visit him in his homeland.
Team USA might foot the bill, too.
Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are among 27 American basketball standouts named to the U.S. men's player pool for upcoming global hoop tournaments, including the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey.
Wednesday's announcement was official, but not shocking. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo even called both Williams and Boozer "lifers" with the national team.
"I've been committed since last time, so it was no secret," said Williams, a gold-medal-winning Redeem Team member with Boozer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "And I'm definitely excited about the opportunity to qualify for the Olympics (in Turkey) and then play for the Olympics in 2012."
That's good news for the visitor-seeking Okur, a native of the Turkish province Yalova who might play for Worlds' host Turkey.
"Memo's been trying to get me to Istanbul for five years now," Williams joked Wednesday, "so I finally get a chance to go there and see his city. It should be great."
Williams is considered a lock to be included on the final Team USA rosters for both tourneys, so Okur might start clearing out the guest room. Officially, the U.S. squad for the World Championships (Aug. 28-Sept. 12) won't be decided until after a July camp in Las Vegas.
Boozer, on the other hand, feels honored to be considered again, but the two-time Olympian isn't certain if he'll make the trip to Turkey — or even to Sin City.
When invited to participate, Boozer told Colangelo and Mike Krzyzewski, his old Duke mentor and Team USA's head coach, that his involvement might depend on whether or not the free-agent-to-be has landed a new contract.
"I told them I definitely would love to, and I told them I'd make my final decision later on because of this free-agency summer," Boozer said Wednesday. "I talked to some of the guys like D-Wade, LeBron, C-Bosh and they're all doing the same thing, just waiting to see what happens this summer first."
Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh were among the biggest names to earn spots on the star-studded preliminary list. They're also nine of a dozen 2008 Olympians to be selected, along with the Jazz pair, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.
"Everybody in the NBA was considered," Colangelo said.
Every U.S. player, at least.
The U.S. pool, which Colangelo said is "fluid" to add/subtract players for various reasons, also includes Boozer's teammates Lamar Odom and Amare Stoudemire from the 2004 bronze-medal-winning team.
No final spots have been openly guaranteed, but Krzyzewski admitted Williams is in the plans. That's saying something, considering the plethora of All-Star playmakers on board, including Williams, Paul, Chauncey Billups and Derrick Rose.
"There's a lot of guys at the point guard position," the Duke coach said. "We lead it with Chris and Deron."
While admitting the point guard spot is "a strong position for certain," Colangelo spoke glowingly of Williams.
"Deron Williams is a player who keeps getting better and better at his trade," Colangelo said. "He's much improved over the last couple of years, and that doesn't surprise me. He has a passion for the game. He loves to play, and he's honing his skills as we speak, so we're very happy to have Deron involved."
The former Phoenix Suns owner and current USA Basketball boss lauded the "experience" Boozer brings to the team even while acknowledging the power forward's limited role in the 2008 Olympics.
"He's a very dependable guy," Colangelo said. "We know his strengths, obviously in terms of his game: his inside presence, his size, rebounding, blocked shots.
"So," Colangelo added, "there's a role for Carlos Boozer just playing his game. He gets the team concept in spades."
Whatever happens, Boozer feels deeply proud he's played for his country.
"I've been there twice, and I'm going to tell you there's not much of a greater thrill for an athlete to be able to wear USA across his chest," Boozer said. "So it's a huge, huge honor and, of course, if I do it again, it would be another great, great honor."
He'll at least have a place to stay in Turkey if he does.
Team USA player pool
Twenty-seven players named to the USA Basketball men's program for 2010-12:
Guards: Chauncey Billups (Denver), Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers), Eric Gordon (L.A. Clippers), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia), O.J. Mayo (Memphis), Chris Paul (New Orleans), Derrick Rose (Chicago), Dwyane Wade (Miami), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), Deron Williams (Utah).
Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Carlos Boozer (Utah), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Rudy Gay (Memphis), Danny Granger (Indiana), LeBron James (Cleveland), Kevin Love (Minnesota), Gerald Wallace (Charlotte).
Bigs: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland), Chris Bosh (Toronto), Dwight Howard (Orlando), Al Jefferson (Minnesota), David Lee (New York), Brook Lopez (New Jersey), Lamar Odom (L.A. Lakers), Kendrick Perkins (Boston), Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix).
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