Injury-hit USA add two to Olympic team finalists

Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard. AFP

COLORADO SPRINGS–The US men’s basketball team added forward Anthony Davis and guard James Harden to the roster of finalists for the 2012 Olympic team, after injuries to Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard.

Davis was the college player of the year and is expected to be the top selection in the NBA draft in June after leading the University of Kentucky to the NCAA collegiate Championship in April.

Harden plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA and his team is currently in the playoffs.

In the regular season, his third in the NBA, Harden averaged 16.8 points and 4.1 rebounds over 62 games.

The additions bring the pool of candidates for America’s London Olympics team to 18.

The United States named a 20-man pool of candidates in January, but the squad suffered a blow when the Chicago Bulls’ reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Rose tore a knee ligament in the team’s opening playoff game.

He’ll need surgery and won’t be available for London.

Orlando Magic star Howard is sitting out the NBA playoffs with a back injury.

The 12-man Olympic squad with alternates must be named on June 18.