and DeMarcus Cousins played on the team that won the gold m

RIO DE JANEIRO -- From Kyrie to KD, DeMar to DeMarcus, many players on the U.S. Olympic mens basketball team are so well known to NBA fans they can simply go by first names or nicknames.The Americans have 12 NBA players on their roster, headlined by former MVP Kevin Durant and featuring multiple All-Stars. Kyrie Irving, DeMar DeRozan and DeMarcus Cousins played on the team that won the gold medal two years ago in the Basketball World Cup.There are plenty more players in the tournament who either are familiar faces or could soon be. There are a record 46 current NBA players set to play in the Olympics, the league said, along with 18 more former players.We know that there are great basketball players all over the world, U.S. coach Mike Krzyzewski said. Over 20 percent of the NBA is international now and so theres a deep respect for the game, for the international game, and we hope that well be able to show that respect in the matter in which we play here in Rio de Janeiro.A look at some players to watch when competition begins Saturday:DARIO SARIC , CROATIA. The will he or wont he join the 76ers questions were as frequent as the losses last year in Philadelphia, but the team got good news in July when the former lottery pick signed with the 76ers . The 6-foot-10 forward played the last two seasons with Turkish team Anadolu Efes and looked NBA-ready when he averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds while winning MVP honors of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament that Croatia won to earn its spot in Brazil.YI JIANLIAN , CHINA. Once so highly regarded that he was the No. 6 pick in the 2007 draft, Yis NBA career didnt amount to much. But he remains a solid international player who was the MVP of the FIBA Asia championship last summer when his team clinched its Olympic berth, and the 7-footer scored 18 points in an exhibition game last month against the U.S., Chinas opening opponent on Saturday.GUILLERMO WILLY HERNANGOMEZ , SPAIN. The New York Knicks noticed him while scouting Kristaps Porzingis, who was playing for the same professional team in Spain. So they acquired the rights to the 2015 second-round pick of Philadelphia and signed him last month so he could join the team next season. In the meantime, the 6-10 center gets valuable experience playing for his country while Marc Gasol is sidelined while recovering from a broken foot.BOGDAN BOGDANOVIC , SERBIA. Not to be confused with and not related to the similar-sounding Bojan Bogdanovic, a Brooklyn Nets guard who plays for Croatia. Bogdan Bogdanovic could someday join him in the NBA, as the Phoenix Suns own his rights. He has chosen to remain in Europe at least for next season and showed the Suns what they will be missing when he had 26 points and eight assists in the championship game of the Olympic qualifying tournament the Serbians won last month.DOMANTAS SABONIS , LITHUANIA. The son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis played for Gonzaga and after being drafted by Orlando in the first round was traded to Oklahoma City in a deal for Serge Ibaka. At 6-10, he could give the Lithuanians an imposing front line alongside the 6-11 Jonas Valanciunas of the Toronto Raptors.PATRICIO GARINO , ARGENTINA. The San Antonio Spurs have done pretty well with an Argentine on their roster, and they added another alongside Manu Ginobili when they signed Garino last month. The 6-7 swingman scored 14.1 points per game last season in helping George Washington win the NIT championship, and playing for the Orlando Magics summer league team averaged 12 points in three games.---Follow Brian Mahoney on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Briancmahoney Cheap Dodgers Jerseys . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Custom Dodgers Jerseys . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. http://www.customdodgersjersey.com/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Custom Dodgers T-shirts . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. Dodgers Jerseys China . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Hold a mic to yourself. Hyundai CricJockey is here.To quote the great Richie Benaud himself, Put your brain into gear and if you can add to whats on the screen, then do it. If cricket is what you care for and have sharp opinions that can slice and dice perfformances, there here is your chance.ddddddddddddJoin ESPNcricinfo and Hyundai as we hunt for the voice that the fan deserves. ' ' '