COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - International basketball has not seen the last of Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul in a United States jersey.

USA Basketball have included the quartet in a 28-strong player pool to choose their teams from from 2014 through 2016.

Howard was a member of the Orlando Magic when he last featured for the Americans at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

After a tumultuous 2012-13 campaign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 2.11m center joined the Houston Rockets as a free agent and has hit top form.

The 28-year-old has averaged 18.3 points, 12.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game.

USA Basketball also have veterans James, Anthony and Paul in the 28-player pool.

Each are possibilities for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics but will not play at this summer's FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

USA Basketball have taken that decision, USA Basketball Chairman and national team managing director Jerry Colangelo says, to give some other talented players an opportunity to get a taste of the international game.

Howard, James and Anthony were in the 2006 USA team that fell 101-95 to Greece in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA World Championship in Japan, the only setback suffered by the Americans since Mike Krzyzewski has been coach.

Looking ahead to Rio, Krzyzewski is thrilled to have James in the frame.

"I talked to him last night and he’s really excited," Krzyzewski said.

Blake Griffin, who was originally named to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team but withdrew because of an injury, is in the Team USA player pool, as are London Olympians Paul, Deron Williams, Tyson Chandler, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Love and Russell Westbrook.

The only Olympian from 2012 not involved is Kobe Bryant, who called it a day in the international game after reaching the top of the podium in England.

Stephen Curry and Derrick Rose, members of the 2010 FIBA World Championship winning side in Turkey but not with the team in London, are in the group of players named.

Rose followed up the 2010 tournament with his best season in the NBA.

He was named as the league's MVP in 2011.

A knee injury has cut short his 2013-14 campaign with the Chicago Bulls, so his inclusion among the 28 is no doubt going to boost his spirits.

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the court this summer and having the chance to represent our country," he said.

"It's an honor to play for Team USA and Coach K."

Other NBA stars who have a chance to represent the USA are LaMarcus Aldridge, Bradley Beal, DeMarcus Cousins, Andre Drummond, Kenneth Faried, Paul George, Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Korver, David Lee, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard and Klay Thompson.

George, one of the leading contenders so far to capture the league's MVP award after leading the Indiana Pacers to an NBA-best record of 33 victories and just eight defeats through the first half of the season, said: "Obviously, it's a great honor to be selected and I'm grateful for the opportunity.

"It's a huge thrill to represent the United States and to be included with all of these great players makes it even more special."

Faried, a Denver Nuggets forward, is so happy that he said: "I haven't felt this way since I made it to the NBA."

Krzyzewski is enthusiastic about the overall make-up of the squad, and he is especially happy to have multiple options in the low post.

"We're excited about the post because we have more guys there than before," he said, "in Aldridge, you have a young player in Drummond.

"Obviously you have Cousins, who's having a heck of a year, Tyson Chandler.

"For Dwight Howard to be back with the group, he was such an integral part of the Beijing Olympics. And really, one of the emerging stars in the NBA in Anthony Davis, so those are more big guys that we have had before.

"In London, in the Gold Medal Game, our four and five men were Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James and so, that's not bad.

"But hopefully all of these guys are healthy and don't have any contract or personal issues.

"The fact is, that would be utopia. But we do have a few more options now."

While Duke University's Naismith Hall of Fame coach Krzyzewski is still the lead man, he has three big-name assistants.

They are Syracuse University's veteran coach Jim Boeheim, Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau and New Orleans Pelicans head coach Monty Williams.

Colangelo can add athletes at any time.

"Continuity and familiarity with international basketball are critical parts in our success, and between our coaching staff and these 28 players we certainly have that," he said.

"Every one of the selected players has been involved in USA Basketball previously and that speaks to how well our pipeline is working.

"Because of injuries and circumstances that will develop where players won’t be able to participate, we know we need flexibility with the roster and as we did in 2006-08 and 2010-12, the pool of players will be fluid, so you will see the addition of players as they emerge and as they are needed."

The USA will be taking aim at a second straight world title.

The team that many see as the biggest threat to their supremacy, Spain, are hosting the event.

The draw for the FIBA Basketball World Cup is to be held on 3 February in Barcelona.

"With 24 teams competing for the world title, including host Spain who we have had memorable games against in the last two Olympic gold medal games, we know it will be a challenge to repeat as world champions," Colangelo said.

"In the history of the FIBA World Championship/FIBA Basketball World Cup, only Brazil (1959 and 1963) and Yugoslavia (1998 and 2002) have won back-to-back titles, so repeating will not be easy and is a challenge we look forward to."

FIBA