SALT LAKE CITY — Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom, two former Olympians, made the cut today for USA Basketball’s expanded roster for the world championships this summer and the 2012 London Games. Andrew Bynum also was selected, but declined the invite. Bryant played on the gold medal-winning team at the 2008 Beijing Games. Odom played in the 2004 Athens Games. Twenty-seven players were selected today. The world championship and Olympic teams will be picked from that large pool.

Others chosen from the Beijing roster included: LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer.

Newcomers to the national team included: Minnesota’s Al Jefferson and Kevin Love (UCLA); Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo of Memphis (USC); Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala; Boston’s Kendrick Perkins; Indiana’s Danny Granger; New York’s David Lee; New Jersey center Brook Lopez; Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook (UCLA); Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge; Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace; and Clippers guard Eric Gordon.