The 2024 Olympics are five months away, but teams will seek to solidify their rosters soon. Team USA has already received commitments from two players with international basketball experience.
NBA Rumors: Four All-Star Players With International Experience Willing To Play For Team USA In Paris
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton and Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis are the two players who committed to playing for Team USA yesterday if asked.
“My goal is to play for USA until the wheels fall off,” Haliburton told Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press on Saturday. “If I get that call to go, I’ll be there.”
Haliburton played well for Team USA this past summer in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, The U.S. fell short of a medal, losing to Germany in the semifinals, and then fell to Canada in the bronze medal game. Still, the U.S. is one of eight teams to qualify for the upcoming Olympics.
Haliburburton averaged 8.6 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds while posting a shooting slash line of .511/.472/.800 over 21.2 minutes over eight appearances. He scored in double-figures three times and produced at least five assists on six occassions.
Haliburton’s best game came against Italy in the quarterfinal round. The 23-year-old tallied 18 points, five assists, four rebounds, and three steals in 20 minutes. He was also a +23 in plus/minus rating and recorded an efficiency rating of 25 against the Italians. The USA outscored their opponents by 13.1 points when Haliburton was on the court.
Meanwhile, Davis echoed Halubirton’s sentiments.
“I told the committee if they ask me to go, I’ll go, ” Davis told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Davis last played for Team USA in 2012 and 2014. The US won gold medals in both years, winning the 2012 Olympics and 2014 World Cup.
While Davis played a small role in 2012, he started all nine 2014 World Cup contests, averaging 12.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks.
Who Else Will Likely Suit Up For The USA?
Haliburton and Davis are among 40 players on ‘Team USA’s preliminary Olympic roster. However, those two players are just some who pledge their commitments.
Reynolds added that Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant and Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo have verbally committed. Reynolds also said that LeBron James wants to play, and Stephen Curry may finally play in his first Olympics.
So, USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill and head coach Steve Kerr have a lot of decisions to make.
USA Preliminary Roster
Guard: Devin Booker, Jaylen Brown, Steph Curry, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Anthony Edwards, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Austin Reaves, Derrick White, and Trae Young
Wing: Desmond Bane, Mikal Bridges, Paul George, Duncan Robinson
Forward: Bam Adebayo, Paolo Banchero, Scottie Barnes, Kevin Durant, Aaron Gordon, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Kawhi Leonard, Bobby Portis, and Jayson Tatum
Center: Jarrett Allen, Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, Chet Holmgren, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Walker Kessler.
Who Else Is Playing in the Olympics?
Besides the U.S., which is seeking its fifth straight Olympic gold medal, seven other teams have already punched their tickets to Paris. Germany, Canada, Australia, France, Japan, South Sudan, and Serbia.
The other four teams will earn an Olympic bid through a qualifying tournament in early July. There are 24 teams, broken into pods of three teams, split among four host countries.
Valencia (Spain) will host one tournament, including Lebanon, Spain, Angola, Finland, Poland, and the Bahamas.
Riga (Latvia) will host Georgia, the Philippines, Latvia, Brazil, Cameroon, and Montenegro.
Piraeus (Greece) has Slovenia, New Zealand, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, and the Dominican Republic.
San Juan (Puerto Rico) is the final host, with Mexico, Ivory Coast, Lithuania, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Bahrain.
