The USA is sending its best basketball players into the fight for the fifth Olympic gold in a row. The Dream Team is led by three-time Olympic gold medalist Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns and two-time gold medalist LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers.
The twelve-man squad that managing director Grant Hill announced on Wednesday also includes two-time world champion Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors – it will be his Olympic debut.
“Greatness united!” wrote USA Basketball at
Basketball experts Adrian Wojnarowski also include Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), and Jrue Holiday (Boston). Celtics, Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat) and Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers).
Steve Kerr as head coach
In total, the USA squad has twelve NBA All-Stars, four MVPs and six NBA champions. As was the case at last year’s World Cup, when the US team was completely unexpectedly beaten by eventual world champions Germany in the semi-finals, Steve Kerr from the Golden State Warriors will act as head coach.
His assistants include Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (LA Clippers) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat). “My team and I are honored to mentor this fantastic group of players in our quest to win Olympic gold in Paris,” Kerr said in the statement.
“We want to represent US basketball at the highest level and make our country proud.” Starting on July 6th in Las Vegas, the squad will prepare for the Olympics. In preparation there will also be a test duel with world champions Germany on July 22nd in London.