Tyson Chandler representing U.S. on and off court

by Earl K. Sneed of Dallas Mavericks

Chandler's hard work for Team USA on the court isn't all the 7-footer has done in Turkey this offseason. Chandler also carried the torch to commemorate Turkey's Special Olympics.

Tyson Chandler

While you had your feet kicked up enjoying the Labor Day holiday on Monday, Tyson Chandler and Team USA were putting in work on the court at the FIBA World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey.

The newly acquired Dallas Mavericks big man and his undefeated American teammates hit the hardwood for their first game in the tournament's knockout stage, facing an inferior Angola squad.

With J.J. Barea's Puerto Rican team eliminated from contention for the crown, along with Ian Mahinmi and the French national team, Chandler is now the lone remaining current Mavericks player vying for the gold medal. Though the big man found himself in early foul trouble, he still made his presence known when he was on the floor -- finishing with five points and seven rebounds in 13 minutes. Even without Chandler available for extended playing time, the Americans advanced to the quarterfinals with a 121-66 runaway win.

According to Chandler, just having the opportunity to compete with the U.S. team while it tries to win the event for the first time since 1994 is an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"To know that I'm a part of history and a part of a chapter in USA basketball is amazing. It's just hard to really grasp," Chandler said.

In order to make history, Chandler and Team USA may have to eventually go through an undefeated host nation Turkey, who has Mavericks director of basketball development and former All-Star Rolando Blackman on the sidelines working as an assistant coach.

But basketball isn't the only thing on Chandler's mind. The big man is also taking time away from the court to give back to the Turkish community. The 7-foot-1 center also carried the torch to commemorate the start of Turkey's Special Olympics.

"This is an incredible honor," Chandler said. "I definitely didn't think that I'd ever be doing this ... Not in my wildest dreams did I ever think that anything like this would happen. To be able to carry a torch to start off something like this that's so special to the Turkish people, and for them to allow me to be a part of it, is an incredible honor.

It's the same community involvement Chandler hopes to bring to Dallas when he returns stateside.

"I know what we do in the States is special, so I know how the kids here get joy out of it -- when you take the time to pay attention and pay attention to the things that they are accomplishing," Chandler said.

Team USA returns to action on Thursday against the winner of the Russia-New Zealand matchup.

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