After leading the US to the gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Kobe Bryant is one step closer to playing in London.
Bryant and fellow NBA All-Stars LeBron James and Dwight Howard are among the 20 players who will compete for selection for the US men's basketball Olympic team.
The squad, from which the final 12-man roster will be selected, is estimated to earn over $US 300 million ($AU 290 million) a year.
US coach Mike Krzyzewski, however, is not worried about the veteran status of Bryant, who turns 34 shortly after the Olympics.
"I like the balance that we will have with youth. We have players right in their prime and veteran players. I guess with Kobe's case he's always at his prime," Krzyzewski said.
The list includes eight members of the Beijing squad and 10 members of the squad that captured the 2010 world title in Turkey.
Two-time NBA most valuable player James, five-time NBA champion Bryant and three-time NBA defensive player of the year Howard are among the players seeking a chance at winning a second consecutive Olympic gold medal for the US.
NBA rookie of the year Blake Griffin and Portland Trail Blazers leading scorer LaMarcus Aldridge are among the hopefuls who did not play in either the Beijing Olympics or in Turkey.
The 12-man roster for London will be announced later this year with performances in the NBA season being considered.
USA Olympic basketball squad: LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland), Carmelo Anthony (New York Knicks), Chauncey Billups (Los Angeles Clippers), Chris Bosh (Miami), Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers), Tyson Chandler (New York Knicks), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Rudy Gay (Memphis), Eric Gordon (New Orleans), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Dwight Howard (Orlando), Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia), LeBron James (Miami), Kevin Love (Minnesota), Lamar Odom (Dallas), Chris Paul (Los Angeles Clippers), Derrick Rose (Chicago), Dwyane Wade (Miami), Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), Deron Williams (New Jersey).