Sources have disclosed that NBA superstars LeBron James and Stephen Curry are gearing up to represent the United States at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. The anticipation is building, with several other prominent players expressing their interest in donning the USA Basketball jersey for the prestigious event.
LeBron James, a past gold-medal winner in 2008 and 2012, is reportedly eager to make his mark on the Olympic stage once again. Alongside him, Anthony Davis, another gold medalist from 2012, has also shown a strong desire to join the team. Meanwhile, the sharpshooting maestro, Stephen Curry, is contemplating making his Olympic debut.
Sources suggest that Curry’s interest in participating is partly fueled by his desire to play under the guidance of his Golden State Warriors coach, Steve Kerr, at the international level.
Additionally, several key players from the 2021 gold-medal-winning team in Tokyo who didn’t participate in the recent FIBA World Cup, such as Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, and two-time gold medalist Draymond Green, are being considered for a return to the Olympic roster.
Veteran player Chris Paul, who clinched Olympic gold in 2008 and 2012, is also contemplating a return to the Olympic stage, adding further depth to the potential roster. Kevin Durant, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, remains a strong candidate to represent Team USA once more.
USA Basketball has made efforts to recruit Joel Embiid, a player with dual United States and French citizenship, but his commitment remains uncertain at this point.
The fitness and health of key players, including James, Davis, and Embiid, will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s composition, given their recent injury history.
Notably, the last three major international basketball tournaments were held in Asia, and logistical challenges posed by scheduling and COVID-19 have made securing commitments from superstar players a complex task for Team USA.
Grant Hill, the executive director of USA Basketball, has emphasized that participation in this year’s World Cup was not a mandatory prerequisite for consideration for the Olympic team.
Despite some recent struggles in the FIBA World Cup, the United States has a rich Olympic history, having secured the gold medal in the last four Olympic basketball competitions. However, they have achieved victory in only two of the past six FIBA World Cups.
It’s important to note that Team USA did not secure a medal at the World Cup in Manila.
Source: ESPN