The 2024 Paris Olympics are coming this summer, and USA Basketball is putting together its best possible men’s roster to ensure it doesn’t suffer embarrassment on the world’s biggest stage.
LeBron James is returning to Team USA for his fourth Olympics. Stephen Curry is joining the team to make his Olympics debut. There’s nine other players reportedly confirmed for the 12-man roster made up of the biggest American stars in the league, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. Team USA is also leaving one roster spot open for now until they decide on how to round out the team.
The United States men’s national basketball team has won four straight Olympic gold medals, and seven of the last eight. The Americans have missed out on gold only once since moving to use NBA players, and that was back in 2004 when Team USA finished with bronze. Despite their track record of success, USA Basketball is clearly feeling the heat as the rest of the world continues to improve, and it’s informed their decisions with this roster.
USA Basketball is coming off a humiliating fourth-place finish in the 2023 FIBA World Cup despite having the most talented roster in the field, if not exactly their best group. USA Basketball also came in seventh place in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Some of the greatest players of all-time are using the Paris Olympics as a last hurrah for the international stage. Here’s the roster USA Basketball will be sending to France:
USA Basketball 2024 Olympics projected starting lineup
C Joel Embiid: The Philadelphia 76ers superstar has never played in the Olympics before. He was born in Cameroon, but chose to play for Team USA over both his home country and France. Embiid became a United States citizen in 2022.
F LeBron James: The 39-year-old James is back for his fourth Olympics after skipping the 2020 Tokyo games. James is one of the greatest players in the history of basketball, and he’s still competing at an incredibly high level. This season, James put up the highest three-point percentage of his career in Year 21.
F Kevin Durant: Durant is going for his fourth Olympic gold medal after being the driving force on the Americans’ push for gold in Tokyo. The 6’11 sharpshooter is one of the best scorers in the world to this day.
F Jayson Tatum: Tatum is one of the new faces of USA Basketball. The Boston Celtics star has been competing for the program since he was a teenager on the junior teams. He brings isolation scoring, spot-up shooting, and defensive length to the mix.
G Stephen Curry: The greatest shooter ever, and one of the best offensive players of all-time finally gets to shine on the Olympic stage. It will be such a joy to watch Curry’s incredible long-range shooting against international competition. The 36-year-old is still one of the best guards alive.
The rest of the Team USA men’s basketball roster
C Anthony Davis: Defensive anchor and lob threat gives Team USA some much needed size off the bench.
C Bam Adebayo: Versatile defensive big man who can give the Americans different types of coverage.
G Anthony Edwards: Young star with explosive athleticism and shot-making who can also lock down defensively.
G Devin Booker: Sublime offensive shot-maker who can provide tough pull-shooting, floor spacing, and a much needed pinch of playmaking as a potential backup point guard.
G Jrue Holiday: Veteran defensive-minded guard who played a key role on 2020 Tokyo gold medal winner.
G Tyrese Haliburton: 24-year-old point guard with incredible passing vision and knockdown shooting ability.
There’s one more spot left on Team USA. Who should get it? Sound off in the comments below.
Men’s basketball at the 2024 Paris Olympics will run from from July 27 to August 10. Team USA will be in Group C, which also includes a powerhouse Serbian team.