Five takeaways from the roster for the U.S. men's basketball team: LeBron James and Kevin Durant lead the team
USA Basketball announced the roster for the men’s Paris 2024 team on Wednesday (17 April). The team is packed with NBA stars – literally. Every member of Team USA has been an NBA All-Star at least once. Between the 12 players on the roster, there are 589 USA Basketball wins, 14 NBA championships, and four NBA MVPs.
Here’s what else sticks out about the U.S. men’s national team roster:
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are on a mission
LeBron James and Kevin Durant each have trophy cases so full, they might need to build a new section for another Olympic medal. NBA championships, NBA MVPs, Olympic gold medals – what more do they need? What’s driving both men is what drives most Olympic athletes – a desire to show their country is the best in the world.
James is 39 years old, but he said in February that if he’s healthy, he wants to commit completely to Team USA.
“It’s more miles put on these tires,” said James. “But if I’m committed — which I am — to Team USA, then I’m going to commit my mind, body and soul to being out there for Team USA, representing our country with the utmost respect and go out there and play.”
Durant is on the USA Basketball Board of Directors and has spoken often about his commitment to the growth of the sport. He wants to not just win gold, but win games by a sizeable margin.
"I want to really make a statement on how dominant our players are Like 40, 50-point wins. I want to do that,” he said on the Boardroom podcast in March.
"I'm trying to play real minutes. I'm trying to be responsible and have a real role, and I know that's going to come from the work I put in practice and all of that stuff, but I'm ready for that and I'm excited about being around that bond and USA brotherhood again. It's unmatched."
Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard will make their Olympic debuts
Steph Curry and Kawhi Leonard have both won multiple NBA championships and have been named to several NBA All-Star teams, but neither have played for the U.S. men’s Olympic team. Curry played on FIBA World Cup teams in 2010 and 2014, winning gold both times. Leonard has never played on a U.S. national team.
Anthony Davis is a unicorn
The Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis has won every major title there is in basketball. He’s an NCAA champion, NBA champion, an Olympic champion, and a FIBA World Cup champion. According to USA Basketball, he’s the only man to accomplish these feats, and he will get a chance to add to his trophy haul with Team USA this summer.
Joel Embiid chose Team USA
2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid was born in Cameroon. In 2022, he was granted French and U.S. citizenship, giving him choices of where to play international basketball. But he said in October, after talking to family, that he knew he wanted to play for his adopted home, the U.S.
“I’m really proud and excited about this decision. It was not easy. I am blessed to call Cameroon, France, and the USA home. After talking to my family, I knew it had to be Team USA. I want to play with my brothers in the league. I want to play for my fans because they’ve been incredible since the day I came here. But most of all, I want to honor my son who was born in the US. I want my boy to know I played my first Olympics for him,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
While the U.S. and France aren’t in the same group, there is a good chance they will face off in the later rounds of the Olympic tournament. French fans who didn’t agree with Embiid’s decision might want to their opinions to him.
Jrue Holiday can try to reach his wife’s gold medal total
Jrue Holiday won his first Olympic gold medal at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and his inclusion on Team USA means he will get a chance to add to his medal tally this summer. His wife, retired football player Lauren Holiday, won two Olympic golds playing with the U.S. women’s national team in 2008 and 2012. If Holiday wins gold, he can match his wife’s total. Lauren also has a gold and silver from FIFA World Cups.