New Rockets forward Kevin Durant became the first men’s basketball player to win four Olympic gold medals last year in Paris. Earlier this week, Durant was asked about the possibility of suiting up for Team USA at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, as Law Murray of The Athletic relays (Twitter video link).
“Yeah, if I’m still me,” Durant said. “I don’t want the gift of the veteran, like, ‘come sit on the end of the bench and get your fifth (gold medal).'”
The 15-time All-Star also said he’s given some thought to becoming a coach after his playing days are over.
“Some days I would (like to coach), some days I wouldn’t,” Durant said. “It’s tough dealing with personalities. … But we’ll see.”
Here are a few more international items of interest:
- In an interview with Bilal Baran Yardımcı of Eurohoops, four-year NBA veteran Brandon Boston Jr. said talking to former teammate CJ McCollum and McCollum’s older brother, new teammate Errick McCollum, helped convince him to sign with Fenerbahce this offseason. The Turkish team is the reigning EuroLeague champion. “Just having those conversations with those guys really helped me a lot with my decision,” Boston said.
- Former NBA center DeMarcus Cousins is returning to Mongolia for the 2025/26 season, having re-signed with the Selenge Bodons, he announced on social media (Facebook link; hat tip to HoopsHype). “I’m excited to announce that I will be returning to the Bodons! Can’t wait to get back to Mongolia and finish what we started and try to bring home a championship!” Cousins wrote. The four-time All-Star, whose last NBA stint came with Denver during the 2021/22 campaign, has played overseas for several teams during the past few years.
- The NBA and the UK government are investing £5MM apiece to elevate one of the UK’s “fastest-growing sports,” according to Basketball England (hat tip to BasketNews). “Basketball is booming in Britain – and this investment will help take it to the next level, opening up the game to thousands more people right across the country,” UK prime minister Keir Starmer said as part of a larger statement. The NBA is hosting regular season games in London in 2026 and in Manchester in 2027 and is working to create a league in Europe that could launch as early as 2027 and may feature teams in both of those cities.
“Hartenstein’s first season in Oklahoma City was unsurprisingly the best of his career. In 57 games, he averaged 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists, all of which were career highs.
He gave the Thunder a physical edge they sorely needed in the frontcourt and became a perfect complement to their young core. That impact extended into the playoffs, where he played critical minutes throughout OKC’s title run.”
Timing is everything. IHart gave Thunder exactly what they needed most. Thunder overpaid for this. To make sure he would sign with then. IHart had never played like this. Till he came to Knicks and Thibs worked his magic on bigs. He taught him to play big and use what makes him a big. Up until the Knicks his stats were no better than Wiseman’s. Uet you see how the roads line up for us.
IHart stats before he got to Knicks 2021-22. Was in the L 4 trs. Turned 24 as a Knick (2yrs), 24 yrs old
13 mins, 4.5 reb, 1 blk, 5.5 pts, .65% FT, .575% FG
Wiseman stats ip until 2023-24 season. 22 yrs old played three yrs total ……
19 mins, 5.6 reb, 1 blk, 9.1 pts, .683% FT, .560% FG
So explain to me how one guy goes on to win a chip and sign for 28 mill. And the other gets run out of town. Is it just Thibs lol …,.,.,…. Thibs is working with Grimes in Houston right now. I wish he would help this guy find his place. James my brother…. please give Thibs a call. He can help you 🙏
link to dailyknicks.com
Sorber is coming . But it will be next year or year after that. IHart has a TO in 2026-27…. Sober is a talent
Little difference: ihart is one of the best defenders in the league, Wiseman one of the worst. the statistical output of the later has never been the problem
It was with Warriors. The point is IHart was coached to impact the game. He learned to play big and help your team, impact winning. Thats what good coaching can do. Something Wiseman never got. And he is 22. IHart was 24 when he got to Thibs.
Quite professional of KD to avoid doing with Diana Taurasi did with the womens Olympics team this past summer. Almost question if his comment is a direct shot at her.