The lead-up to the 2024 Olympics has started around the world, with many competing sports in their final rounds of qualification for the biggest event in sports. USA Basketball is hard at work as well, evaluating the players in the NBA this season and releasing a 41-player shortlist of players, out of which 12 will be selected for the Olympics.
Following summer rumors about LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant all playing together, the three players have been named in the 41-player list. They’re joined by the newest addition to the Team USA player pool, Joel Embiid.
Full List: Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Trae Young.
USA Basketball player pool of 41 finalists that will be used to select the 12-player roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: pic.twitter.com/Bs1yqnQDQD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 23, 2024
All the players who chose to represent Team USA at the FIBA World Cup in the summer have seen their names included in the 41-player list, along with interesting new additions such as Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and rookie Chet Holmgren.
Trae Young will be looking to get his first senior team call-up as well, with many believing there’s a conspiracy to keep Trae off the national team.
The names do indicate that the 2024 Olympics may be the final time we see many legends on the list represent Team USA, so the youngsters may get passed over to ensure LeBron, Steph, KD, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, and more get their final USA call-up, along with select young stars such as Anthony Edwards or Tyrese Haliburton.
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After the USA lost in the FIBA World Cup and were outperformed by the likes of Canada and Serbia without Nikola Jokic, it was clear that they would bring the big guns for the 2024 Olympics in France. LeBron James took the initiative and reportedly started laying the groundwork to ensure top-tier aging stars will make themselves available for the Olympics.
“LeBron James, a three-time Olympian, two-time gold medalist, and the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, has so strong an interest in one more Olympics that he is ready to commit for next summer, and has also called multiple stars to essentially recruit them to join him with USAB in Paris, multiple league sources told The Athletic. James has spoken to Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, and Draymond Green, and they are all prepared to commit as well.”
Stephen Curry, someone who hasn’t ever won an Olympic Gold medal, has already confirmed his desire to play for Team USA as well.
“I have talked to some people about the opportunity. If all things stay the same, I want to play. It’s the one thing I’ve never done. I also understand the opportunity for Team USA to reassert itself as dominant in the world, so I definitely want to be a part of that, that’s why I want to be on the team. Hopefully, things line up that way.”
With Joel Embiid choosing to represent the USA over France, it’s clear that they’re heading into the tournament with a massive personnel advantage. But if the active NBA legends come together to lead Team USA to glory, it’ll be incredible to watch.
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