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USA Basketball formalized its plans to field a “Dream Team” for this summer's Paris Olympics by announcing a list of 41 candidates for its final 12-man roster on Tuesday.
The candidate pool selected by general manager Grant Hill was led by LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, all of whom have expressed interest in helping the Americans win their fifth straight Olympic gold medal.
The pool included 13 players who had previously won Olympic gold: James, Durant, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Jimmy Butler, Anthony Davis, Paul George, James Harden, Jrue Holiday, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul and Jayson Tatum.
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Curry, who won gold at the FIBA World Cup in 2010 and 2014, would be seeking his first Olympic medal. Also there were reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who announced in October his intention to play for USA Basketball rather than France or Cameroon, and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who has never played in the Olympics or the World Cup took part.
“The United States has incredible basketball talent and I am pleased that many of the game’s superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Summer Olympics,” Hill said in a statement. “It is a privilege to select the team that will help us achieve the goal of reaching the top of the Olympic podium once again. This challenging process will continue to evolve over the next few months as we eagerly await the start of national team activities.”
All 12 members of the US 2023 World Cup squad, which finished fourth in the Philippines after disappointing losses to Lithuania, Germany and Canada, were considered for Paris: Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Bobby Portis and Austin Reaves.
The other invitees were Jarrett Allen, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Jaylen Brown, Alex Caruso, De'Aaron Fox, Aaron Gordon, Tyler Herro, Chet Holmgren, Donovan Mitchell, Duncan Robinson, Derrick White and Trae Young.
Despite winning gold at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and the 2021 Tokyo Games, Draymond Green was not included in the player pool. Five other members of the Tokyo team – Jerami Grant, Keldon Johnson, Zach LaVine, JaVale McGee and Khris Middleton – were also left out of the pool this year.
Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors will coach the Americans in Paris after leading the World Cup team last summer. Kerr has indicated he will step down after the Olympics. His staff in Paris includes Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue and Gonzaga coach Mark Few. The Americans won Olympic gold in 2008, 2012 and 2016 under Mike Krzyzewski and in 2021 under Gregg Popovich.
The United States is one of eight teams qualified for the 12-team Olympic tournament field, and the Americans are expected to enter as clear favorites. Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Serbia and South Sudan have also secured places in Paris.