The United States Olympic basketball team is poised to pursue its fifth consecutive gold medal at the upcoming Paris Games, with a lineup featuring basketball luminaries LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant.
The announcement made on Wednesday by USA Basketball revealed a 12-man roster teeming with NBA prowess.
The roster boasts the inclusion of the current Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, as well as Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday. LeBron James, the NBA’s top scorer and Los Angeles Lakers icon, is set to participate in his fourth Olympic Games, having previously competed in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who recently concluded his season, is slated to make his Olympic debut.
The team is further enriched by the talents of 12 NBA All-Stars, four MVPs, and six champions, including Devin Booker of Phoenix, Anthony Davis of the Lakers, Anthony Edwards of Minnesota, and Kawhi Leonard of the Los Angeles Clippers. Bam Adebayo of Miami and Tyrese Haliburton of Indiana also join the ranks.
Grant Hill, the managing director of USA Basketball’s men’s national team, expressed gratitude for the assembled talent and their shared commitment to the journey ahead.
The team’s focus is firmly set on clinching the gold medal, which Hill regards as the ultimate benchmark of success.
Despite the US team’s historical dominance at the Olympics, a recent setback at the FIBA World Cup, where they finished fourth, underscored the need for a robust defense.
The inclusion of Embiid, Davis, and Adebayo is expected to fortify the team’s defensive capabilities, addressing concerns raised by the physicality of international play.
The squad is set to make its debut with Embiid and Leonard in a pre-Olympic match against Canada in Las Vegas on July 10.
Embiid, originally from Cameroon and holding US and French citizenship, has chosen to represent the United States, a decision welcomed by Hill, who has fostered a relationship with the Philadelphia 76ers’ star.
Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors will lead the team as head coach, with Erik Spoelstra of Miami, Tyronn Lue of the Clippers, and Mark Few of Gonzaga University serving as assistants.
The announcement coincides with the 100-day countdown to the Paris opening ceremony, and Hill emphasized the importance of moving forward without delay, given the excitement and anticipation surrounding the team’s formation and the upcoming NBA playoffs.
Hill’s message is clear: with the team set and the journey about to begin, there’s no reason to wait to share the news with the world.
The US Olympic basketball team is ready to embark on its quest for gold.
