USA Basketball announces star-studded player pool for the 2024 Olympics in Paris

Photo byImage Courtesy of Fadeaway World

USA Basketball announced on Tuesday a 41-athlete player pool for its 2024 Men's National Team competing in the Summer Olympics in Paris.

With one glance at the roster, it's evident that Team USA isn't pulling punches in its pursuit of its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Former NBA MVP award winners LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, headline the loaded player pool, which also includes perennial all-stars James Harden, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, and Anthony Davis.

“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,” said former Pistons star Grant Hill, who now serves as USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director. “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.”

Hill said that forming the player pool wasn't easy and noted that trimming the roster to 12 players for the Olympic games will be even tougher.

“I’ll be honest, I didn’t think we’d be at 41,” Hill said. “It was really hard to get to 41, and I imagine it will be very difficult to get to 12.”

The star-studded list, which includes 13 Olympians, 22 World Cup participants and 25 NBA All-Stars, has drawn comparisons to Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird’s 1992 USA Men’s Olympic Team in Barcelona.

Speaking of the Hall of Fame trio, Johnson, Jordan, and Bird are all expected to serve as advisors to Team USA as they prep for Paris.

“What's been a pleasant surprise, particularly on the 50-year anniversary of USA Basketball, is to have guys who've been a part of the program, guys who put equity and have ownership and have played a direct role in its success, still express an interest in being a part of it,” Hill said.

The 2024 USA Men’s National Team will be led by head coach Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), who is assisted by Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (L.A. Clippers) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat).

When they compete at the Summer Olympics in Paris, USA Basketball will commemorate its 50th anniversary, raising the stakes even higher as they look to clinch gold.

“We are excited to celebrate USA Basketball’s historical milestone in 2024,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. “2024 is going to be a remarkable year with the Paris Olympics and many other international competitions. It’s important to us to celebrate all that our organization has achieved over the last five decades."

USA Basketball has unveiled a unique 50th Anniversary logo that will be used all year long in 2024 as part of its celebration. The ABAUSA emblem's historical components are displayed alongside the well-known USA Basketball shield. Golden accents are used, which symbolize the competitive excellence of USA Basketball, complete the logo.

USA Basketball will also celebrate its anniversary with a digital content series highlighting notable moments in the organization’s illustrious history.

In related news, USA Basketball also announced that the 2024 USA Men’s National Team will host Canada at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena as part of the USA Basketball Showcase. The exhibition contest is set for July 10 at 7:30 p.m. PT/10:30 p.m. ET live on FS1.

The USA Basketball Showcase features a series of games that help the USA Basketball National Teams prepare for major competitions, including the Olympic Summer Games and FIBA World Cup.

“USA Basketball is excited to return to Las Vegas as our men’s national team program looks forward to tipping off the journey to the 2024 Olympic Games there in July,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO. “The game at T-Mobile Arena against Canada is an important opportunity in our preparations and a great opportunity for our fans to support the U.S. national team before heading overseas.”

After finishing in the top two spots from the FIBA Americas zone at the 2023 FIBA World Cup in September, USA Basketball officially qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The men from America will be vying for their fifth consecutive and 17th overall Olympic gold medal.

In total, USA Basketball will be represented by four teams at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games, including 5-on-5 men and women and 3×3 men and women. More information about all four USA Basketball teams will be announced at a later date.