Eleven players, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, were announced as members of Team USA for the 2024 Olympics.
According to The Athletic, 11 of Team USA’s 12 places have already been filled by players including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, and others. As a result, Team USA will send a strong team to the 2024 Paris Olympics in France.
“Teаm USа, loоking fоr its fiftҺ cоnsecutive оlympic gоlԀ in men’s bаsketbаll, selecteԀ LeBrоn Jаmes, Kevin Ԁurаnt, StepҺen Curry, Jоel EmbiiԀ, Jаysоn Tаtum, Ԁevin Bооker аnԀ Jrue ҺоliԀаy, аs well аs аntҺоny Ԁаvis, Bаm аԀebаyо, аntҺоny EԀwаrԀs аnԀ Tyrese Һаliburtоn, sоurces clоse tо tҺe plаyers tоlԀ TҺe аtҺletic.”
Since last offseason, LeBron, Durant, and Curry have shown interest in competing in the Olympics. Now, the three most legendary players of their generation will be teammates for the first time in what will most likely be their final Olympic cycle. Neither LeBron nor Curry has ever represented the United States national team in an Olympic basketball competition; the last time they did so was in 2012. Durant, who is competing for a record-tying fourth gold medal and already holds the record for most points scored by a U.S. national team player, has a high opportunity of being the most successful player in USA basketball history.
Both LeBron and Durant had good seasons. LeBron averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, while Durant had 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. After a season in which he averaged 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, both players are considered All-NBA possibilities. Stephen Curry is also under consideration.
Overall, the squad is interesting. Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards received incentives for their continuing involvement and leadership on Team USA at last year’s FIBA World Cup, while Jalen Brunson was controversially left out. In addition to Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, and Bam Adebayo, the United States will be represented by Joel Embiid, who is making his international debut.
There is still one available. SpotNobody has been able to confirm who will fill the 12th roster spot, hence the spot is still available. It appears that the selection committee is moving forward. The last inclusion is Kawhi Leonard, but they may not make a final decision until after the playoffs.
“Kawhi Leonard is the leading candidate for the USA vacancy with Paul George, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, and Jalen Brunson also under consideration.”
The final position may still be up in the air considering Kawhi is reportedly nursing a knee injury. Even head coach Ty Lue has been silent on the Clippers forward’s eligibility for the 2024 playoffs, leaving fans and media to wonder. Leonard has been idle since March 31st.
Banchero, Bridges, and Brunson were all members of last year’s FIBA World Cup squad. If Kawhi is unable to participate, Banchero might replace him; the team has frequently included a young player, such as Anthony Davis in 2012 or Keldon Johnson in 2020. Paul George, who plays for the Clippers alongside Kawhi, is also listed.Brunson may not start because guards Haliburton, Curry, Booker, and Edwards are already expected to be on the roster. Mikal Bridges and the rest of the team’s highly gifted wing core are no exception; nonetheless, neither player has performed well enough this season to earn a call-up to the national team.