Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum of USA during the Men’s Basketball Gold Medal Final between United States and France on day fifteen of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Saitama Super Arena on August 7, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. Durant and Tatum will participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
USA Basketball is finalizing its roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics Games. The roster features the NBA’s brightest stars, led by Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, and Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant.
ESPN’s NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski broke the news via his X account.
Other NBA stars who will participate are Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Lakers big man Anthony Davis, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Suns guard Devin Booker, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton.
This will be Curry’s first Olympics, unlike his fellow superstar counterparts James and Durant. This will be James’ fourth time with Team USA, as he is seeking his third gold medal after winning it in 2008 and 2012. Team USA came up short in the 2004 Olympics, winning the bronze medal. As for Durant, this will be his fourth time with Team USA, not counting his appearance in 2010 for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
This is the most stacked roster USA has had since the 2012 Olympic Games. This response comes after the USA basketball team finished in fourth place in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. While the team had talented players like Edwards, Jalen Brunson, and Haliburton, the team could not secure a championship.
Currently, 11 players are on the roster, so Team USA must add one more spot. There are many options to fill this spot, such as Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard, Heat forward Jimmy Butler, Los Angeles Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Celtics forward Jaylen Brown, or even Brunson of the New York Knicks.
The USA will seek its fifth consecutive gold medal in the Olympic games. However, it won’t be easy as the entire world has caught up to the US. Foreigners like Giannis Antetokounmpo from Greece, Nikola Jokic from Serbia, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Canada will also vie for the Gold.
Team USA last came up short in the Olympics in 2004. The team failed to reach the gold medal game, losing in the semifinals to Argentina, 89-81. Since that moment, Team USA has turned things around and tried to get the best players in the sport to team up. The Redeem Team in 2008 changed things for the better for Olympic basketball and is now considered a powerhouse in the world.
USA Basketball will look to make history in these summer games and show the world they are still the juggernauts and the team to beat.
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