Nick Collison, who once was nicknamed “Mr. USA Basketball” for the many occasions he represented his country on the court, will be wearing the red, white and blue again – at least in a practice setting.

Former Kansas University forward Collison has received an invitation to join the U.S. Senior National Team for workouts beginning Aug. 13 in Las Vegas.

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Collison, a 6-foot-9 Seattle SuperSonics forward has been asked to help out with big men Greg Oden (tonsillectomy), Carlos Boozer (family reason) and Brad Miller (foot injury) currently out of action.

Ex-Jayhawk Kirk Hinrich is one of 17 players attending this weekend’s Team USA minicamp in Vegas.

Collison, who has played for USA Basketball eight times since 1998, was actually invited to attend the minicamp, but couldn’t because of an important previous engagement – his and former KU track standout Robbie Harriford’s Friday night wedding in Seattle and ensuing honeymoon in Greece.

Seventeen or more U.S. hopefuls will reconvene in Vegas in mid August with coach Mike Krzyzewski and USA basketball committee members paring the roster to 12 for the FIBA Championships, which start Aug. 22 in Glitter City. The U.S. must place in the top two at the tourney to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in China.

¢Trade coming?: The Seattle Times reports that Collison may be traded following Friday’s acquisition of veteran forward/center Kurt Thomas.

Thomas, 34, the Times reports, has one year left on a contract that will pay him $8.1 million next season. He is the Sonics’ second-highest paid player behind Wally Szczerbiak, who will make $12 million next season.

Seattle SuperSonics forward Nick Collison (4) puts up a shot over Chicago guard and former Kansas University teammate Kirk Hinrich. Collison will join Hinrich at Team USA practices after a honeymoon in Greece.

The Sonics have 14 players under contract and a payroll of $63.4 million next season. The paper reports that is over the $55.6 million salary cap, though well below the $67.9 million luxury tax threshold that requires teams to pay a dollar per dollar penalty.

Collison, who started 56 games last season, is owed $25 million on a deal that expires after the 2010-11 season.

¢Langford’s summer stats: Former KU guard Keith Langford averaged 9.0 points and 2.8 rebounds for the Spurs, who went 1-4 at the Rocky Mountain Review in Utah. He hit 15 of 31 shots (48.4 percent), one of three three-pointers and 14 of 24 free throws (58.3 percent).

¢U19 team in finals: Kansas State freshman Michael Beasley scored 11 points in the United States’ 78-75 FIBA Under 19 semifinal victory over France on Saturday in Serbia.

The U.S. (8-0) today will meet host Serbia (7-1) in the gold medal contest.

Beasley, who hit five of 12 shots, picked up two fouls in the first minutes and finished with four fouls.

“My team backed me up. That’s all I can ask for,” Beasley said. “This team is a family. We’re playing real well together. Nobody will ever forget anybody on this team. We’re winners.”

KU’s Darrell Arthur made the U.S. roster but was unable to make the trip to Serbia because of a stress fracture in his left leg..