By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
USA Basketball just announced its 41-man initial player pool for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics last January 24, 2024.
The official release of the players was headed by USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill who added that some who were selected already expressed their interest in representing the country.
Leading the 41-man pool are former Olympic gold medalists LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Chris Paul, Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Jrue Holiday, James Harden, Paul George, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, Devin Booker, and Bam Adebayo.
Also included in the list is Golden State Warriors superstar and NBA multi-champion Stephen Curry who is yet to win an Olympic gold medal for USA.
USA Basketball also tapped the services of the recent members of the national team that competed during the FIBA World Cup, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Brandon Ingram, Walker Kessler, Cam Johnson, Bobby Portis, Josh Hart, Tyrese Haliburton, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Austin Reaves.
Completing the 41-man pool are Trae Young, Derrick White, Duncan Robinson, Donovan Mitchell, Kawhi Leonard, Chet Holmgren, Tyler Herro, Aaron Gordon, De’Aaron Fox, Joel Embiid, Alex Caruso, Jaylen Brown, Scottie Barnes, Desmond Bane, and Jarrett Allen.
“It is a privilege to select the team that will help us toward the goal of once again standing atop the Olympic podium. This challenging process will unfold over the next several months as we eagerly anticipate the start of national team activity,” said Grant.
USA Basketball is looking to redeem its campaign during the FIBA World Cup after the national team failed to clinch a podium finish in the Philippines.
Days after the result, reports came out that James, Durant, and Curry already showed interest in playing for USA Basketball for the Paris Olympics.
“If all things stay the same, I want to be playing. It’s the one thing I haven’t done and I also understand the opportunity for Team USA to kind of re-assert yourselves as the most dominant in the world,” Curry said.
