Dawn Staley evaluates play of Kevin Durant, Team USA in first half vs. Serbia in 2024 Olympics

South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley knows what it takes to win, and she likes what she’s seeing from Team USA. At halftime of Team USA’s first-round matchup against Serbia in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Staley raved about Team USA’s hot start.

“To watch this team, to see Kevin Durant do what he’s doing out there on the floor — I know he feels good,” Staley said. “The body has a way of healing itself right before the official start of the Olympic Games and KD is rested up. That shot looks great and hopefully he can pull us through this win.”

Kevin Durant had an electric first half, erupting for a game-high 21 points while shooting 8-8 from the field and 5-5 from beyond the arc. Propelled forward by Durant’s hot hand, Team USA took a commanding 58-49 lead into the halftime break.

Durant was cleared to play only hours before the game. He did not participate in Team USA’s exhibition games prior to the Olympics due to a calf strain he suffered in June. If Durant can boost Team USA to another first-place finish this year, he will become the first Team USA player to ever collect four Gold Medals.

Dawn Staley provides advice for Team USA

Staley’s praise carries serious weight. She boasts three Gold Medals as a player and one as a coach. Moreover, she’s cemented herself as one of the all-time greats at the collegiate level.

At the helm of South Carolina, Staley has reeled in three national titles (2017, 2022 and 2024). Further, she’s won the SEC Tournament eight times and has been named the SEC Coach of the Year seven times. Staley intimately understands the difficulty of coaching so much talent on one roster.

“It’s a hard job. That’s number one,” Staley said. “You have to communicate that you aren’t going to be able to play 12 players for a certain amount of time and there’s a pecking order. But, you keep everybody playing at a high level. I think communication does that. You see one guy hasn’t played. Halliburton hasn’t played and he’s the first one off the bench to greet Kevin Durant.

“You need those kinds of players that know that if their number’s called, they’re ready. But at the same time, they’re not going to ruffle any feathers. This is his first Olympic Games. He’ll play many more if he wants to. But sometimes, you got to take notes and be ready when your number gets called.”

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