Vince Carter will replace Kobe Bryant on this summer's U.S. Olympic qualifying team, two international basketball sources said Friday.
Bryant officially withdrew from the team Thursday because of shoulder and knee surgery, although it had been known for almost a month that he would not participate. Bryant still plans to play for the U.S. team at the 2004 Olympics if the Americans qualify.
The USA Basketball selection committee settled on Carter as Bryant's replacement, the two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press.
Carter's career has been on a slow decline since the 2000 Olympics.
Bryant officially withdrew from the team Thursday because of shoulder and knee surgery, although it had been known for almost a month that he would not participate. Bryant still plans to play for the U.S. team at the 2004 Olympics if the Americans qualify.
The USA Basketball selection committee settled on Carter as Bryant's replacement, the two sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the Associated Press.
Carter's career has been on a slow decline since the 2000 Olympics.