COLORADO SPRINGS (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - The United States have named Derrick Rose among the 16 finalists for the squad that will compete at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The Chicago Bulls star missed most of the past two seasons with knee injuries but performed at a high level at the training camp in Las Vegas last week and is now among the players headed to Rose's hometown for the next phase of the USA's preparations.

USA coach Mike Krzyzewski spoke with a lot of enthusiasm on Tuesday about Rose, a title-winner at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey who was named MVP of the NBA the following season.

"I think he's exceptional in every way," said Krzyzewski.

"He went right at it (in the USA practice).

"The first defensive exchange in the camp, he was all over the ball handler, moving his feet, attacking him.

"There was a buzz right away because it was basically his saying, 'Look, I'm not just back. I'm back at a level that's elite.'"

Krzyzewski said Rose was a constant spark at the training camp.

"He really created an air of excitement for the team because we all were anxious to see who he was right now," the coach said.

"And who he is is very, very good. We're ecstatic about it and so happy for him."

The Washington Wizards duo of Bradley Beal and John Wall and Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap were all cut from the squad.

Three others named in the initial training camp roster were already gone.

Kevin Love and Blake Griffin withdrew shortly after being named while Paul George suffered a broken leg during the USA Basketball Showcase last weekend.

Brooklyn Nets big man Mason Plumlee, invited to the Vegas camp as a member of the 2014 USA Select Team, is among the 16 finalists.

He played for Krzyzewski at Duke University.

In addition to Rose, there is national team experience in the shape of 2010 FIBA World Championship MVP Kevin Durant, as well as Stephen Curry, James Harden and Anthony Davis.

"Really all 16 guys have a chance to make the team, which usually does not happen in a training camp, and it shows that all of the guys thus far have done an excellent job," said Krzyzewski.

"Then it's just a matter of finding what chemistry we can develop with the entire group and I don't think we'll know that until we play some exhibition games.

"The 16 guys give us a chance to look at a way of playing in a number of different ways and we just have to figure out what those ways are and then the 12 who will fit best."

USA Basketball national team director Jerry Colangelo said that letting players go is never easy.

"We've said all along that we would be proud to have any of the players who were in Las Vegas represent USA Basketball and the United States," he said.

"This phase of the selection process was extremely difficult and very thorough, and it's worth again mentioning that we are looking to select the best team, which are not necessarily the best players.

"We're pleased with where we are at this point of our training and we're looking forward to getting back on the court and continuing our preparations to represent the United States at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup."

Colangelo also spoke about losing Paul George to injury.

"The ending to our Las Vegas training camp with the injury to Paul George was very emotional for everyone involved in USA Basketball," he said.

"I very much appreciate the outpouring of support Paul and USA Basketball has received the past couple of days from the basketball world.

"Past Olympic coaches and some of our past Olympic and World Championship players have reached out offering their continued support and that’s very important.

"Paul's injury was an extremely unfortunate occurrence; it was truly a freak accident. We're all very pleased that his recovery is going well."

The USA finalists will practice in Chicago on 14-15 August at the Quest Multisport Complex and play an friendly against Brazil at the United Center the following night.

After Chicago, the Americans will continue their preparations in New York (18-22 August) and play a pair of friendly games at Madison Square Garden, against the Dominican Republic (20 August), and Puerto Rico (22 August).

The USA will finish their pre-World Cup exhibition tour in Gran Canaria, Spain, with training 24-25 August and one last friendly against Slovenia.

The defending champions will play in Group C at the FIBA Basketball World Cup against Finland, the Dominican Republic, New Zealand, Turkey and Ukraine.

USA squad for FIBA Basketball World Cup: Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Derrick Rose, Mason Plumlee, DeMarcus Cousins, DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond, Kenneth Faried, Gordan Hayward, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Korver, Damian Lillard, Chandler Parsons and Klay Thompson.

FIBA