LeBron, Curry headline star-studded US
LOS ANGELES, California: LeBron James, Stephen Curry and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid were named among a 41-strong player pool for the USA’s 2024 Olympics basketball roster on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
The star-studded roster will be whittled down to a 12-man squad for this summer’s Olympics in Paris, where the United States will be chasing a fifth consecutive gold medal.
The provisional player pool contains 28 players who have represented the USA at an Olympics or FIBA World Cup, with 23 gold medals between them.
The 39-year-old James will be chasing a third gold medal in what will be his first appearance at an Olympics since the 2012 London Games.
“The United States boasts unbelievable basketball talent, and I am thrilled that many of the game’s superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games,” Grant Hill, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director, said in a statement.
“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.”
Philadelphia 76ers star Embiid is set to play for the United States for the first time after pledging his allegiance to the squad last October.
The Cameroon-born superstar was eligible to play for the country of his birth, France and the United States, but opted for a US squad which will enter the Olympics as overwhelming gold medal favorites.
The team will be coached by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, with Gonzaga University’s Mark Few, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Tyronn Lue and Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra acting as assistants.
USA Basketball also announced plans for pre-Olympic games in Las Vegas and London.