By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
As ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard has clinched the last spot on Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Olympics, which has been officially confirmed.
Grant Hill, the managing director of USA Basketball, recently met with most of the 12 Olympic team invitees. However, Team USA officials confirmed Leonard’s acceptance to join the Paris roster on Tuesday.
The two-time NBA champion returned to the All-Star game this season after missing the previous two, averaging 23.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game for the Clippers.
The other 11 players on the Team USA roster include LeBron James (Lakers), Stephen Curry (Warriors), Kevin Durant (Suns), Joel Embiid (76ers), Anthony Davis (Lakers), Devin Booker (Suns), Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Jrue Holiday (Celtics), Bam Adebayo (Heat), and Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers).
“We have the utmost respect for the level of competition we will face”
The squad boasts a combined 11 Olympic appearances and owns 10 Olympic gold medals as well as three FIBA World Cup titles. In total, the U.S. will take 12 NBA All-Stars, four NBA MVPs and six NBA champions to Paris.
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). Last summer, the quartet coached the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila.
“It’s an honor to introduce the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team,” Grant Hill said. “I’m grateful to these 12 men for their commitment to represent USA Basketball. The United States is home to some of the best basketball players in the world and I appreciate the vast interest in being part of this roster. These decisions weren’t easy, but it was a pleasure to go through the process and reach this outcome. We have the utmost respect for the level of competition we will face this summer. The Olympics represent the pinnacle of sport and the world will be watching the USA as we play in the toughest basketball tournament in history.”
USA Basketball’s training camp starts on July 6 in Las Vegas, followed by international games against Canada. Then, they’ll host Australia and Serbia on July 15 and 17 in Abu Dhabi. The showcase continues in London’s O2 Arena with games against South Sudan and Germany on July 20 and 22.
In the Olympic tournament, Team USA faces Serbia, South Sudan, and the winner of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico on July 28, 31, and Aug. 3 in Group C matches in Lille, France, before moving to Paris for knockout rounds.