USA Basketball announced today that Hornets guard Chris Paul is among the 23 players who have been named to the 2006-08 USA Men?s Senior National Team program.  The 23 players will compete for 15 roster spots during a training camp in mid-July (exact training camp dates and sites will be announced at a later date).

?I am so proud to be selected by USA Basketball and I plan on making sure that I represent my country, my family, the Hornets and the NBA to the best of my abilities,? said Paul.  ?I?ve said before that playing for your country is the greatest honor that you can have.?

Paul has averaged 16.4 points, 7.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals in 54 games with the Hornets this season.  He currently ranks second overall in the NBA in steals, seventh in assists and 18th in free throws made and has been named the T-Mobile Western Conference Rookie of the Month every month so far this season.

?This is a tremendous honor for Chris and it shows what a special player he is,? said Hornets Head Coach Byron Scott.  ?To be chosen for this team at such a young age shows that he is playing the type of team-oriented, total package game that USA Basketball was looking for when they selected the roster.?