LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry are among the top players listed for Team USA in the upcoming Paris Olympics. They are part of a star-studded 12-man squad aiming for a fifth consecutive, and a remarkable 17th overall, Olympic gold medal. The list also features the 2022-23 NBA MVP Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers, Jayson Tatum from the Celtics, Devin Booker from the Suns, and Anthony Davis from the Lakers. Leonard is the last player named for the team.
James is aiming for his third gold medal, having made his debut in the Olympics back in 2004; his 20-year involvement equals that of Diana Taurasi from the women’s team, who’ll also be playing for Team USA in 2024. Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr continues to spearhead Team USA as the head coach, a role he adopted in December 2021. Under his leadership, the team holds an impressive Olympic record of 34-4 since 2004.
Joel Embiid, originally from Cameroon, elected to represent the US after notifying Team USA’s managing director Grant Hill in October, that he preferred to play for the US instead of the host country, France.
Grant Hill expressed his gratitude to the team, stating, “I appreciate the commitment these 12 men have shown to represent USA Basketball. Although the selection decisions weren’t easy, it was a delightful experience to finalise this roster.”
Durant, who clinched gold in the 2010 World Cup, holds impressive records for the USA in the Olympics, including leading the pack in total points, scoring average, field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws. He also ranks highly in terms of rebounds, blocks, games played and assists. James, aiming for his fourth Olympic appearance, has netted 273 points so far, placing him third among all American players. His last appearance was in 2012, when he won gold.
Although the Olympics will be a first for Curry, he’s no stranger to international competitions, having won two World Cups with Team USA in 2010 and 2014.
The American men’s team, as members of Group C, is set to go head to head with Serbia on the 28th of July, South Sudan on the 31st of July and the victorious team from the Olympic qualifying tournament (OQT) in Puerto Rico on August 3rd in the initial stage of the Olympic tournament. The group phase of the 5-on-5 Olympic basketball will be held in the French city of Lille before proceeding to Paris for the final knockout and award rounds.
Team USA comprises luminaries from the basketball world including LeBron James and Anthony Davis from Los Angeles Lakers, Steph Curry from Golden State Warriors, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker from Phoenix Suns, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday from Boston Celtics, Joel Embiid from Philadelphia 76ers, Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana Pacers, Bam Adebayo of Miami Heat, Anthony Edwards from Minnesota Timberwolves, and finally Kawhi Leonard of Los Angeles Clippers.