German national team coach Svetislav Pesic said Dirk Nowitzki is not expected to be a member of the team this summer as they attempt to qualify for EuroBasket 2013.

"I believe that Nowitzki isn't expecting my call," Pesic said. "He needs peace, a summer vacation. He has to think about his future. But, of course, we'll discuss his plans.

"Germany lived on Dirk's glory for long time,” Pesic said. “Since the bronze in Indianapolis, silver at the FIBA European Championship in 2005, up to these days.

"Because of the magnitude of his personality and basketball qualities, many other players were just - other players.

"That wasn't bad, it was normal back in those days as Nowitzki is a true leader on the court, but I think that there is a new wave of players in Germany that can help to build new future."

Team USA will play Spain in an exhibition game on July 24th in Barcelona, according to sources.

The game will be played at the Palau Sant Jordi.

The exhibition will coincide with the 20th anniversary of Team USA's 1992 Dream Team.

NBA players and agents involved in the pre-Olympic tour have received the itinerary, and a formal USA Basketball announcement is expected to come on All-Star weekend next week in Orlando, Fla.

Kobe Bryant is ready to reprise his role as Team USA's closer in the 2012 London Games.

“I’m the closer, man,” said Bryant when asked if his role would be any different than in 2008. “They just bring me in in the last two minutes or something like that. If they need me. That’s what I do. LeBron, D-Wade, Durant, all those guys, they can do the heavy lifting.”

Bryant struggled for much of the ‘08 Olympic tournament, but responded in the gold medal game, scoring or assisting on 18 of the United States’ final 25 points, including a four-point play after Spain had cut the lead to five with less than three minutes remaining.

Bryant ranked third on Team USA in scoring, fourth in assists and steals, and second in minutes played.

Jerry Colangelo has no intention of adding another guard to the USA preliminary roster now that Chauncey Billups is likely lost for the season after tearing his left Achilles tendon.

“I really feel terrible for him in every way,” Colangelo said about Billups. “Not just for the Olympics, but because it is career threatening. There is no guarantee we’d replace him [on the roster]. My gut tells me probably not.

“We have a lot of guards. I will check with coach [Mike Krzyzewski], but probably not.”

Billups was one of eight guards on a camp roster that also includes Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams.