Nineteen ninety-two was the first year that the U.S. allowed professional players to play in the Olympics. This was, and still is, the best basketball team ever assembled. Eleven of the 12 players are in the hall of fame. The one player who isn't in the hall of fame had no business being there.

Christian Laettner was the best player in college basketball and he was coming off of four straight final fours and two national championships, but there were definitely other players that should have been on this roster instead of him. He was not even the first player chosen in the draft and his NBA career was mediocre at best. Team USA definitely would have won a gold medal with or without him, so why not give a more deserving player the chance? The fact that a college player is on this roster is a little ridiculous. There are plenty of players in the NBA that would've actually touched the floor. There are 10 players that were left off of the team that definitely would've been better suited for this team.

10. Terry Porter, PG

Porter is definitely not one of the players that comes to people’s minds when you think about notable players from the '90s, but as the second option for the Portland Trailblazers, he proved that he was an effective perimeter scorer and could run the offense, and also help lead Portland to a finals appearance in 1990 where he averaged 20 points and seven assists throughout the playoffs.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 18 ppg, 6 apg, 3 rpg

9. Joe Dumars, SG/PG

Arguably the quietest player to ever play the game, Joe Dumars was a key piece of the bad boy Pistons' two championship runs and was named finals MVP in one of the two. Dumars was always a threat to drop 20, a great defender and could run the point if necessary.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 20 ppg, 5 apg, 2 rpg

8. Dennis Rodman, SF/PF

Obviously not the best personality to

send to represent the country, but Rodman is arguably the best rebounder of all

time and one of the best defensive players to ever play the game. He was

another key piece of the bad boy Pistons and a former defensive player of the

year. Rodman was pretty much a lock for first team all-defense yearly since he

was able to guard multiple positions. If he were to be selected for the dream

team, he would be coming off the season where he led the league in rebounding,

which was his career high at almost 19 a game.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 10 ppg, 2 apg, 19 rpg

7. Kevin Johnson, PG

It sounds crazy, but the mayor of Sacramento is one of the most underrated players in the history of the league. Its not surprising that KJ is forgotten about since he played at a time with so many of the greatest players in the history of the game, but his numbers were nothing to laugh at. KJ's prime was at its peak in the early '90s. He was already a two-time all star and had three seasons where he averaged over 20 points and 10 assists.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 20 ppg, 11 apg, 3 rpg

6. Tim Hardaway, PG

The crossover king would've only be coming off of his third season if he was a member of the dream team, but he was already a two-time all star and had proven he could be an elite point guard in the league averaging almost 20 points and 10 assists in his first three NBA seasons.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 23 ppg, 10 apg, 4 rpg

5. Reggie Miller, SG

There is not much to say about Reggie Miller. He did not have the best numbers in the world, but he was one of the best shooters ever, smartest players ever and he knew how to get in your head. He was one of the classiest guys in the league and he deserved the chance to be on this team.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 21 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg

4. James Worthy, SF/PF

Arguably the best side kick ever, and one of the best swing men ever, Big Game James didn't have the best numbers, but he always came ready to play and contribute anywhere he could.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 20 ppg, 5 apg, 6 rpg

3. Mitch Richmond, SG

Like his former teammate Hardaway, the

man known as The Rock did not have a lot of years under his belt, but there was

consistency in the four seasons he played before the '92 Olympics. Richmond

averaged 22 points a game and three-pointers were not really a part of his game.

His nickname was The Rock, so that should tell you something.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 23 ppg, 5 apg, 3 rpg

2. Isaiah Thomas, PG

Thomas was left off of the team

because no one wanted him there due to his dirty play on the court. There

was also his comment on Larry Bird that was taken the wrong way. Isaiah's play

on the court was indeed not the cleanest, but it was all about trying to win.

Outside of the game Isaiah was always a class act and don't forget the fact

that his best friend at the time was Magic Johnson. Thomas was definitely

deserving of the opportunity and the team should have just grown up and let him

have the chance.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 19 ppg, 7 apg, 3 rpg

1. Shaquille O'Neal, C

Shaq was taken number one overall in the '92 draft and Lattner was taken third. Yes Lattner made Shaq look like a scrub on the college level but you knew who's game was going to translate better in the league. Being the best player in college is different than being an elite player in the league. Shaq was almost unguardable in college and would've added a whole new level of excitement to the dream team. If there had to be a college player on the dream team it should have been Shaq.

Stats: 1991-'92 season, 24 ppg, 5 bpg, 14 rpg (college)

Lattner stats 1991-'92 season, 21 ppg, 2 apg, 8 rpg