Basketball: Curry, LeBron head US Olympic squad

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is fouled by San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/D

The NBA's reigning MVP Steph Curry and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James headline 30 NBA stars named as finalists for the US Basketball team to contest the Rio de Janeiro Olympics later this year.

Curry is likely to play in his first Olympic campaign in August while James will make his fourth appearance at the global event.

Other stars to be confirmed in the initial 30-man roster include Oklahoma City Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, New York Knicks veteran Carmelo Anthony, New Orleans Pelicans big man Anthony Davis and Houston Rockets star James Harden.

Retiring Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant took himself out of contention over the weekend meaning his glittering career will conclude at the end of the current NBA season.

A final 12-play roster will be confirmed later in the year.

Full squad: LaMarcus Aldridge, Carmelo Anthony, Harrison Barnes, Bradley Beal, Jimmy Butler, Mike Conley, DeMarcus Cousins, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Kenneth Faried, Rudy Gay, Paul George, Draymond Green, Blake Griffin, James Harden, Gordon Hayward, Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, DeAndre Jordan, Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Love, Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, John Wall, Russell Westbrook