SHANGHAI, China -- The United States men's basketball team will complete its preparations for the Beijing Olympics with exhibition games in Shanghai against European champion Russia and Australia.
The Americans will play the Russians, who stunned world champion Spain in Madrid to win last summer's European title, on August 3 at Qizhong Arena. Russia is led by Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko, who was the tournament's MVP.
Two days later, the U.S. team will face Australia, whose top player is Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut. The Americans crushed the Australians, the Oceania champions, 113-73 when they met two years ago in a round of 16 game at the world championships.
The USA Basketball International Challenge was announced Monday in Shanghai, which the U.S. team will visit for the first time this summer.
The Americans will then head to Beijing, where they begin their Olympic tournament on August 10 against host China.
