Despite the feel good mood after Team USA defeated France en route to a gold medal, several players have been speaking up or about USA Basketball director Grant Hill’s decision to leave them off roster. In March, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving was reportedly deeply interested in playing for the national team. In a recent interview with The Athletic’s Sam Amick, he reiterated his desire to play for the men’s U.S. national team, preferably in the 2028 Olympics.
“I won’t say it was hurtful not to be able to try out,” Irving says. “…It just was weird that we weren’t able to try out and get together as a group because the USA team is not just 12 guys or 15 guys. … I won three gold medals… So there is a pride thing there, and I have history.
There was such a great competitive pool that you can test yourself against because it’s the best in the world. It’s not every day you get a chance to go against (players of that caliber).”
Kyrie Irving’s Olympics Fly-by Leads To Team USA Question
Irving’s perspective is more sensible than sensitive, as he does have extensive experience with Team USA.
Having won gold with USA Basketball in the 2010 FIBA Americas U18 Championship, 2014 FIBA World Cup, and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, not being in consideration would’ve been strange. Given that he was in contact with USA Basketball director Grant Hill, there’s a chance that he was an option. Nonetheless, with Team USA senior’s men national team eliminating tryouts last year, his ability to make the team came down to Hill’s assessment of how the puzzle fit.
“I had communication with Grant throughout the season, but I think it was more or less a surprise that I wanted to play. I think it was just a surprise that I wanted to play and (that) I was engaged… There’s an extra motivation, just naturally, where, OK, I guess 2028 (is the plan)?’ And maybe it’s not for Team USA. I’m just really proud of the (Team USA) guys, at the end of the day.”
Irving was obviously not chosen. Team USA opted for a more defensive-minded group that included the Boston Celtics duo of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.
That being said, professional athletes are competitors. In the future, Hill may want to entertain the idea of reinstating tryouts. With the NBA talent pool as large as it is, what better way is there to separate the cream of the crop?
What About Australia?
If Team USA and FIBA agree to let Irving play for Australia, it would be an intriguing scenario.
“I would love to entertain playing for Team Australia, man.
I don’t think it’s a strong, strong possibility at this point, depending on what the Olympic Committee does. But as a competitor, I was born in Australia. For me, it’s not a hard transition to make, but I don’t want to fall into the same, I would say, probably like — I’m trying to be very intentional with my words here. I don’t want to fall into the trap of being let down or disappointed when I know that there are other opportunities out there for me.”
Longtime Boomers head coach Brian Goorjian recently parted with the team. Positive or negative, this could have a bearing on both Irving and the Australian national team’s view of a potential partnership. Nonetheless, the U.S. national team isn’t indomitable. Players like Denver Nuggets centerpiece Nikola Jokic —who plays for Serbia —have proven that.
With the right amount of talent, the Boomers might be one of the next teams to push Team USA to the brink of elimination. Irving could be a big part of that.