This summer, Team USA will be sending twelve players to Paris for the Olympics with the hopes of avenging a rather disappointing 2023 FIBA World Cup. The young team, headlined by Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, and Mikal Bridges, landed in fourth place, losing to Germany and Canada in the last two games of the tournament.
The U.S. dominated the basketball world for years, but other countries have caught up. Now, the stars will likely be coming out for the Paris Olympics to form another winning team. Veterans LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, and Joel Embiid alongside younger stars Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum have reportedly already given Grant Hill their commitment.
Moreover, Shams Charania reported that Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton, who both played well in the World Cup, will likely make another appearance with Team USA. He also mentioned Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis, as Team USA struggled with size in the paint last summer.
Which Kings have the best shot to play in Paris?
If all of the previously mentioned players are healthy and ready to go, Team USA only has one more roster spot available. De’Aaron Fox was selected to the 41-man player pool in January and said it would be an honor to represent his country. He has plenty of competition, however, as other guards named to the player pool are Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard, and Kyrie Irving.
Fox is a better two-way player than most, but Team USA could also use someone who can play on the wing to fill the last roster spot instead. So, while it won’t be easy to make the roster, there is still a chance we will see Fox on Team USA.
Domantas Sabonis didn’t play for the Lithuanian national team last summer because of his thumb injury and off-season surgery but apparently promised to play in 2024 if healthy. Now, Lithuania just has to qualify for the Olympics. Chris Duarte is in a similar position. He has played for the Dominican Republic’s national team before, but they have not yet qualified for Paris. To find out more about the qualifiers, click here.