USA Basketball recognizes the skill and awards their champion.
Jason Kidd, after leading Team USA to the gold medal in the FIBA Americas tournament in Las Vegas this summer, was named 2007 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year on January 16, 2008 by USA Basketball. His play during the FIBA Americas championship secured Team USA a spot in Beijing this summer.
Kidd’s veteran point guard play sparked Team USA to 10 straight wins in the tournament, where he ranked first in assists-to-turnover ratio (9.20), second in 3-pt field goal percentage and third in assists.
“I am very honored to receive this award from USA Basketball,” Kidd said. “I want to thank my teammates and coaches, and to express my gratitude in being selected to represent my country. On behalf of my teammates, we look forward to the challenge that awaits in Beijing.”
Starting in nine of Team USA’s 10 games, Kidd directed an up-tempo offense to an average of 116.7 points, the most by a USA men’s senior national team since 1994 USA World Championship Team.
“Jason was a tremendous addition to the USA Men’s Senior National Team program,” said USA Senior Men’s National Team head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “With Jason directing our offense and distributing the ball, we were able to utilize all of our offensive talents and that made us as a team very successful.”
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