The Team USA men’s basketball program has determined 11 of its 12 roster spots for this year’s Paris Olympics, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Woj suggests that the final roster opening could remain open for a while. Sources inform Wojnarowski that Hall of Famer Grant Hill, Team USA’s managing director, is waiting for a July training camp and some Las Vegas exhibition games before finalizing that 12th spot.
10 of the 11 players were honored as All-Stars this season, while the 11th was a key two-way force on the 2021 gold medal-winning team, which is officially considered the 2020 Olympic team.
Here are Team USA’s 11 players:
- Bam Adebayo, C, Heat
- Devin Booker, G, Suns
- Stephen Curry, G, Warriors
- Anthony Davis, F/C, Lakers
- Kevin Durant, F, Suns
- Anthony Edwards, G, Timberwolves
- Joel Embiid, C, Sixers
- Tyrese Haliburton, G, Pacers
- Jrue Holiday, G, Celtics
- LeBron James, F, Lakers
- Jayson Tatum, F, Celtics
So far, three NBA teams – the Lakers, Celtics, and Suns – will feature multiple U.S. Olympians.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, serving again as the leader of Team USA this summer, will have just one current familiar face in All-Star point guard Curry, who will be making his Olympic debut. Among the other players listed, four others will be making their debuts with the program on this stage: reigning league MVP Embiid and young All-Star guards Edwards and Haliburton.
As Woj notes, 35-year-old Durant is one of just two players to have won three gold medals in Olympic history, along with future Hall of Fame forward Carmelo Anthony. James is playing in his first Olympics since 2012. James and Anthony were also members of Team USA the last time it didn’t win gold at the tournament, in 2004.
Wouldn’t Kevin Durant be a “familiar face” for Steve Kerr? I mean Durant did play for Kerr for three seasons.
I say throw in Christian Laettner for old times sake. Either way this field is gonna be the toughest Olympic field ever with literally zero soft touches from what I can see. I love the addition of Maxey too
USA, France, and Canada should be the top 3 favorites.
Not sure if Spain got younger they seemed to rely a lot on the now old guys in Gasols, Rubio, and Rudy Fernandez
Australia may sneak in some disruption but no real go to guy comes to mind.
Teams are going to load up on Luka
Serbia if Jokic plays not sure who else they have. He may want to rest after another long year.
It said there’s 11 but you listed 12 players….
I may have overzealously listed a bonus Tyrese. Good catch!
Not sure how Jalen Brunson isn’t on this list (also 12 people are listed – good job). Dude is all business, his game and leadership would be solid for intl play and has experience on Team USA under 21 or under 18 I believe
He was pretty underwhelming as 1 of the guys that was supposed to lead USA to victory in the World Cup last yr. Maxey over Brunson was a great choice fr
So he hasn’t developed this past year to a new level? And wouldn’t count on him to be the lead dog on that roster but more of a true PG role but can also get buckets different ways
Maxey!
I jumped the gun there unfortunately. But he’s presumably in the mix.
Other outlets are not listing Maxey which is why this post has 12 names instead of 11
Yeah he did not make the cut officially, that was a faux pas.
Embiid knee
Davis back spasms
Bron the foot
Hope they have some alternates just in case. Though these 3 should have 1-2 months of rest.
Blah blah blah who cares?
Obviously cared enough to comment bozo
Mac McClung.
Yes he will probably watch some of the games on television so long as it’s carried by Chinese media
Kawhi Leaonard must get the final spot!
If he wants to depends on if he finishes the season healthy. Feel like he has had some injury for the last 5 off seasons.
Jimmy Butler tends to fill the Kawhi defender role. George also tends too so I think they could get Jaylen Brown at some point.
Banchero may also be a guy they look at for a final spot or alternate.
It seems like it’s gonna be his, if he wants to play. Any Olympic team with no Jimmy Butler and Kawhi, wouldn’t represent the USA Basketball team, as having the best possible team. Butler doesn’t seem to be on the list, so it’s the case I mentioned.
Ant Edwards is still below Kawhi,Jimmy and Paul George in the hierarchy.
SGA would make a great addition to this team.
I’m pretty sure he’s Canadian
Except he is Canadian and leading their team.
Presumably, the 12th guy (like the 11 already selected) will come from the pool of finalists selected previously this year. Some here might want to check it out. But they hopefully won’t be too disappointed when it doesn’t follow the NBA fanboy hierarchy. FWIW, I don’t believe Maxey is even on it. McClung is certainly not on it. Nor is any other player that’s not an American.
Jalen Brunson has been better than Jrue, Ant, Bam, Curry, Kawhi and Butler… so the spot should be his, right?
Only thing is that team already has plenty guards, it actually needs a forward.
Having said that Brunson has been better than 3 of the guards in the team, perhaps get someone out to make room for him!
If their big men can stay healthy, US will win it. The problem during the last World Cup was a lack of size and rebounding. With Embiid and AD they won’t be demolished by Daniel Theis in the paint this time.
Very good roster.
Team seems overly dependent on older players remaining healthy. Best thing for success of this group would be for Lakers, Warriors, Suns, 76ers to not have long playoff runs. Team could use a couple less stars of the 2010’s and some more grit especially in the front court. Who is defending this big European types that typically give the US fits? What will US basketball look like after LeBron, Durant, Curry, etc. move on? This feels like a last stand for the US in a game where many of the rising stars are international players.