The 34-year-old McCarty has replaced JR Holden as the naturalized Russian in the team and is expected to receive big minutes from coach David Blatt.

"Because of JR's participation the last several years, Kelly has not been eligible to play for us," Blatt said, "but he's happy to be here. He's come in and already brought some energy, brought some athleticism.

"He's brought his great experience.

"Kelly's a guy that can score, defend (against) anyone. He's a tremendous guy so I believe he will give us a lot."

The Chicago-born McCarty, who played for Spanish national team coach Sergio Scariolo this season at Khimki in the Moscow Region, spoke about the opportunity to play at the EuroBasket.

"It was an easy decision after I spoke with my wife," McCarty said.

"For me, it's the first time playing on a national team.

"Just taking a month out of my summer, I didn't know how my body was going to adjust to that.

"That was pretty much the concern, if it was going to be a wear on my body late in the season. It's an honor to represent any country."

McCarty is looking forward to the first game against Latvia on September 7.

The Latvians are led by coach Kestutis Kemzura, who actually began last season as McCarty's coach at Khimki before parting early on to make way for Scariolo.

Kemzura is also a good friend of Blatt's, having served as his assistant coach at Dynamo St Petersburg when they won the FIBA Europe League crown in 2005.

"When you get to those games, you hear the national anthem, you see those guys looking at you the way that you look at them, that competitive spirit comes out and you want to go out and do everything you can to win," McCarty said. "There is going to be a lot of pride when the competition gets here.

The absence of EuroBasket 2007 MVP Andrei Kirileko and CSKA point guard Holden have naturally lowered expectations outside the team.

Nevertheless, there is always pressure for a country when it is attempting to defend its title.

McCarty says he certainly won't be burdened.

"For me, basketball is fun," he said. "It's not a pressure game. Of course this team is going to me Kirilenko and Holden. I can't replace those guys. I'm my own player, my own self. I can bring what I can bring to the team."

Blatt is excited to have his former star at Dynamo St Petersburg in the squad.

"Obviously I have a great feeling towards Kelly," he said to Russia Today.

"We had a lot of success together at St Petersburg. He's gone on to have a great career here in Russia, he's become a Russian national and he's given a lot to Russian basketball."