Since Geoff Petrie has run the Kings, the team has featured a substantial number of international players. This has died down a bit since the trade of Hedo Turkoglu, release of Vlade Divac and trade of Peja Stojakovic.
But the squad still has several international players. After the jump, a full accounting of which Kings will be playing abroad in FIBA competition this summer.
Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic
El Flaco has played with the Dominican national team for several years now. Because of that (and the addition of Al Horford), the D.R. is in good position to compete at this month's Tournament of the Americas. The D.R. finished third in last fall's Centrobasket, qualifying the squad for the Tournament, which begins August 26 in Puerto Rico.
But the team needs to finish in the top four to qualify for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. The Dominicans haven't qualified for the FIBA Worlds since 1978, so this would be a big step in the program's progression. The Dominicans find themselves in Group B with Argentina, Brazil, Panama and Venezuela. Round robin play will eliminate one team from each group. In the quarterfinal round, Group A's No. 1 seed will play Group B's No. 4, and so on. Winners in this round earn the 2010 Worlds berth. Losers have to try their luck in additional qualifying early next summer.
Along with Garcia and Horford, the Dominicans will have Charlie Villanueva for the first time. Jack Martinez and former Kings training camp invitee Luis Flores are also on the squad. The D.R. tried to pull Trevor Ariza, but he instead opted for a spurious invite to Team USA's training camp.
Beno Udrih, Slovenia
Beno has rejoined the Slovenian team this summer after taking 2008 off. Slovenia will compete at Eurobasket in Group B, which includes Germany, Croatia and Turkey. The top six finishers iamong all 16 teams will qualify for the 2010 Worlds. The Slovenians are currently playing warm-ups, and Beno has played well (nine assists) in his one start. His brother Samo also plays for Slovenia, and they'll have Sasha Vujacic as well.
Andres Nocioni, Argentina
Despite falling to bronze in Beijing four years after taking gold, Argentina is No. 1 in the world according to FIBA's rankings. But it appears Noce is sitting out this summer, as he's not on the Argentine roster for the Tournament of the Americas or the warm-up Marchand Cup.
Omri Casspi, Israel
The Israeli national team bosses begged Omri to continue his play this summer at Eurobasket (which begins in early September), but instead Casspi will be working out in Florida with David Thorpe and getting an early start on training camp in Sacramento.
Sergio Rodriguez, Spain
Sergio was passed over for Spain's Olympic team (they took, ahem, Ricky Rubio instead) and won't be playing in Eurobasket this year.
Donte Greene, Germany
D.G. made noise about potentially playing for Germany (he was born there), but it didn't work out this summer.
Kenny Thomas, United States
The United States will not compete in the Tournament of the Americas this summer, as Olympic champs automatically qualify for the World Championships. As such, Thomas will renew his bid for Olympic glory next summer in Turkey, if selected to join the game. (I will be shocked if he is not.)