Two-time Olympic gold medalist Carmelo Anthony said on Monday he spoke with his wife about the Zika virus before committing to play for the USA men's basketball team at the Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.

Young fans cheered their heroes as the USA's Olympic men's basketball team was unveiled in Harlem on Monday.

The Rio squad lacks the star power of some previous Olympic teams following the withdrawal of several big-name players including NBA MVP Stephen Curry and Cleveland Cavaliers captain LeBron James.

Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony are the only players with Olympic experience.

Anthony is hoping to become the first men's basketball player to win three Olympic gold medals after helping the Americans to victory in Beijing in 2008 and London four years ago.

He shared his thoughts about missing LeBron James in Brazil.

SOUNDBITE (English) Carmelo Anthony, USA forward:
"Well, he's (LeBron James) celebrating something else. I'd rather be celebrating that, than this. The Finals probably took a lot out of him. But I know for me, my situation's a little different. This is something I look at as a legacy thing as well. For me to be able to go and have a chance to win three gold medals and play in four Olympics, just to represent the country, I feel good doing that."

The Olympic favourites' gold medal defense begins on Saturday the 6th of August against China.