Twelve players, including NBA stars LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, have committed to represent USA Basketball’s men’s national team in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, an insider told USA TODAY Sports.
The individual asked to remain anonymous as he was not permitted to talk in public until USA Basketball made a formal announcement.
The finalized roster will also include Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton; the final position will be announced later. Curry is competing for his first Olympic gold medal, Durant is aiming for his fourth, and James is attempting to win his third. Embiid intends to compete in his first Olympics as well.
Since taking home a bronze medal in the 2004 Athens Games, which is regarded as a turning point for men’s USA Basketball, the men have won four straight gold medals. Jerry Colangelo was instrumental in turning the program around and attracting NBA players to compete for Mike Krzyzewski in the Olympics. Now serving as managing director of the U.S. men’s national team, Grant Hill has committed to play in Paris after receiving offers from the best players in the NBA.
This may be the greatest American squad to compete at the Olympics since the 2012 London Games and the country will be heavy favorites to win gold in Paris. Along with star power, the roster boasts size, scoring, and defense.
The United States will play Serbia, South Sudan, and the winner of Puerto Rico’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in group play at the Paris Olympics (Mexico, Ivory Coast, Lithuania, Italy, Puerto Rico, or Bahrain).