Colangelo Will Run USA Hoops Through 2012

In the afterglow of Team USA's gold medal redemption, the attention turns to what's next. Actually, the New York Times scooped everyone by asking the crew on Saturday their plans for participation in the 2009-2012 edition. But Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports got something solid on the guy who calls the shots, Jerry Colangelo.

Moments after the United States' 118-107 victory over Spain on Sunday, Colangelo strongly suggested he would return: "Look, continuity is important. If you're a betting guy, you'd say, (I'm) probably going to do it. But it's not official."

Colangelo, 68, said he plans to make an announcement next week. His continuing in the job would be no surprise. Colangelo has been talking a lot about the future of the program, about its next steps and no one surrounding USA Basketball and the NBA expects him to walk away.

That matters quite a bit. Why? Colangelo's proud of this team, proud his vision came to its best possible end. I imagine, because of that, any Redeem Teamers who want back in for the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 London Games will have a spot ... save maybe Jason Kidd.

Likewise, the players Colangelo picked for the USA Select team -- Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, Kevin Martin, Brandon Roy among them -- will likely have a better shot than if someone else took over. If too many 2008 ballers stick around (it'd be a third straight Games appearance for Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade), these other kids won't get much of a chance.

As for coaching, expect Mike D'Antoni or Nate McMillan to get the nod. Gregg Popovich has been mentioned, but he and Colangelo don't get along, and that'd potentially ruin all the good feelings from Beijing.