Brand Isn’t Out of the Olympic Picture

Elton Brand’s Olympic dreams live.

The Clipper forward jumped the gun last week when he said he did not expect an invitation to join the U.S. team in Athens this summer, USA Basketball spokesman Craig Miller suggested Friday.

“He’s still under consideration,” Miller said. “There are still three spots open on the roster, and our committee is well aware of him. He’s had positive experiences with USA Basketball. He’s been a great contributor.... I think he’s one of the guys that has a legitimate chance.”

Nine players already have been named to the U.S. team, among them Karl Malone of the Lakers and Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs. Like Brand, Malone and Duncan are power forwards. And when word leaked this month that Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves also had been asked to sign on -- he too is a power forward -- Brand thought he’d seen the writing on the wall.

The final roster, however, won’t be set for another month, Miller said, adding that the selection committee “appreciates that Elton is a very good team guy.”

Also, Malone has hinted he might drop off the team, citing time and travel demands before the Games and the knee injury that kept him out of 39 games this season and landed him on the injured list for the first time in his career.

A four-day camp in Jacksonville, Fla., starting July 26 will be followed by six exhibitions in four countries before the Games in Athens Aug. 15-28.

Brand, whose Clipper season ends April 14, helped the U.S. win an Olympic qualifying tournament last summer in Puerto Rico, and a year earlier represented the United States in the world championships at Indianapolis.

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TONIGHT

vs. Minnesota, 7:30, Channel 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- XTRA (690/1150).

Records -- Clippers 27-46, Timberwolves 49-24.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 0-3.

Update -- The Timberwolves have won six straight over the Clippers. In three games this season, Garnett has averaged 28.3 points on 66.6% shooting, 14.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists.

Tickets -- (800) 462-2849.