By APNewsNow

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The U.S. Olympic basketball teams will host more than 350 family members of military who have died during their upcoming exhibition tours.

USA Basketball announced a partnership with the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) on Wednesday, two days before its men's team begins its pre-Olympic schedule with a game in Las Vegas against Argentina.

Events will also be held surrounding men's games in Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston, and a women's game in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Besides tickets to the events, USA Basketball will have more than 75 surviving military children serve as ball kids and stand with players during national anthem performances.

TAPS was founded in 1994 to provide free support services to surviving Armed Forces family members. The Americans have strengthened their relationship with the military under USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo and coach Mike Krzyzewski, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, visiting bases and taking part in other activities with troops.