Team USA has been finalizing its options for the 2024 Olympics, which will take place in Paris this summer. Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry have been all included in the selection for the US team that will try to strike back after an underwhelming performance in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Every player in the roster played for Team USA in the past but there is also the new entry of Joel Embiid, who will make his first appearance in the Olympics if he’s ready to compete in August. Tyrese Haliburton has also returned, while the same goes for Anthony Edwards who was part of the team in the World Cup. The news were first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
The selection committee left a spot open among the reported names. Maybe it was left open for the potential of selecting a playoff breakout star after the 2024 NBA postseason. Team USA is expected to face tough competition in this year’s tournament as Team Canada and Germany which won the world championship last summer will return at full strength.
Serbia won silver at the World Cup without Nikola Jokic. Canada could add Jamal Murray alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander if they are both healthy enough, while the hosts France will bring back a veteran group that will surround NBA rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama.
The international basketball scene is at its strongest state ever and the challenge will be greater for the NBA superstars.
ESPN Sources: USA Basketball is finalizing its 2024 Paris Olympics roster with Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis. Team may initially keep one open spot. pic.twitter.com/kO7TREBVDK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2024
Experience and talent needed against team’s with better continuity for Team USA
Steve Kerr replaced Gregg Popovich in the head coach position having a tough job at hand due to the best talent brewing outside US during the last few years. More importantly, the Team USA has been changing its roster constantly from tournament to tournament, ensuring zero continuity in the roster.
Serbia has a great pool of talent, but the players have also play together for many years through consecutive summers. The same goes for the France NT, which will add the extraordinary talented Victor Wembanyama in its squad, while Germany also put a selection of players that grew together in the national team.
That said, Team USA is expected to bring its best collection of players in the upcoming Olympic tournament, including players that have never won an Olympic medal in their career like Stephen Curry.
