USA Basketball Prepares for Historic Olympic Showdown in Paris

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2024. 5:54 p.m.

Looking to win its fifth straight Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer, against perhaps the best international competition ever assembled, USA Basketball hopes to rely on veterans and a prominent newly naturalized American.

LeBron James, who has not competed in the Olympics since 2012; Stephen Curry, who has never competed in the Olympics; and Joel Embiid, originally from Cameroon, but who became an American citizen in 2022, have all expressed their willingness to participate.

These three athletes are part of a group of 41 names released Tuesday as part of the first step that will lead to the final selection of the 12-player team.

The final list could be fixed as early as May for the Olympic Games which begin on July 27. Health and playoff outcomes will obviously play a big role for many players.

Team USA did not win a medal with a young team at the World Cup last summer. Following that result, USA Basketball director Grant Hill, coach Steve Kerr and general manager Sean Ford have spent the last few months lobbying older players to join the team.

Kevin Durant, who won three gold medals with Team USA, is among the players on the initial list. So is Jimmy Butler, who last played in Rio in 2016. The same goes for Paul George and Kyrie Irving, other Team USA veterans in their 30s.

Players may be added or removed from this list in the coming months.

To the surprise of many, Draymond Green is not on the list. Green won gold in 2021 in Tokyo and was expected to be a player that Kerr, his longtime coach with the Golden State Warriors, would strongly consider for the team. Green, however, has been suspended twice this season for on-field actions.

After being beaten by bigger teams at the World Cup, the Americans are looking to bounce back. Embiid is on the American list, but he could also represent France of which he is also a citizen.

The list also includes Chet Holmgren, who stands 7’1″, and is the only rookie on the list. Holmgren was named MVP of the 2021 Under-19 World Cup.

Star big man Anthony Davis, who hasn’t played in the Olympics since 2016, also has his name on the list.

Also in the initial group are young guards Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Austin Reaves, who were all highlights while playing for the national team last summer.

The United States will play a preparatory game against Canada on July 10 in Las Vegas.

Preliminary team selection:

Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White et Trae Young.

2024-01-23 23:03:25
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