Follow usLeBron James and Stephen Curry top the list of 41 players announced on Tuesday as the first step toward assembling a formidable team in pursuit of Olympic gold at the Paris Olympics, Reuters reports.
The group, from which 12 basketball players will be selected, includes 28 athletes who have previously represented the USA in Olympic Games or World Championships, and have already earned gold medals. The USA team secured its fourth consecutive Olympic title in Tokyo, finishing fourth in the World Championship last year.
“I am excited that many superstars have expressed interest in representing the country at the 2024 Olympic Games,” said Managing Director Grant Hill in a statement. “It is a privilege to select a strong team that can help us achieve our goals and stand atop the podium,” he added.
Four-time NBA champion James hasn’t played for the USA team since the gold medal at the London Olympic Games in 2012, while Curry, the NBA’s all-time leader in three-point shooting, has never competed for the American team in the Olympics.
Other notable players on the list include Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Kyrie Irving, and Joel Embiid, who set a franchise record with 70 points for the Philadelphia team on Monday.
The national team will be led by coach Steve Kerr, who also holds the same position with the Golden State Warriors.
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