WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is praising the sportsmanship of the San Antonio Spurs as ''a great metaphor for what America should be all about.''

Obama hosted the Spurs at the White House on Monday to celebrate their victory in the 2014 NBA championship.

Obama says the Spurs have become the United Nations of basketball teams due to the team's diversity. He says it shows how basketball has become an international sport.

Obama singled the team out for hiring WNBA star Becky Hammon last year. She's the first full-time, paid female assistant on an NBA coaching staff.

Obama praised the Spurs for their public service efforts on literacy and community development in San Antonio.

The Spurs defeated the Miami Heat last year to win their fifth NBA championship.