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USA Basketball finalized a star-filled list at the Tokyo Olympics on Wednesday, receiving promises from Chicago Bulls keeper Zach LaVinen and Detroit Pistons striker Jerami Grant, while Brooklyn Nets star James Harden had to retire due to a back injury, U.S. Basketball CEO Jerry Colangelo said.
The team is highlighted by Kevin Durant, who will receive his third gold medal and is the only returning member of the 2016 team to win gold at the Rio Olympics. But the list is stacked with all the stars playing in their first Olympics, including Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Bam Adebayo, Jayson Tatum, Draymond Green and Kevin Love.
The three players on the list – Milwaukee Bucks stars Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday and Phoenix’s Devin Booker – will still be active for the rest of the season and can play as early as July 22, the latest NBA Finals 7th match.
Team USA ‘s first match in Japan is scheduled for July 25 against France. But all three are committed to traveling quickly to Japan on a private plane, Colangelo said.
“Life is about relationships, and we have relationships with all of these players over the years,” Colangelo said. “It’s been a process, and it’s not been easy.”
The loaded team was the result of strong long-term recruitment and a domino effect to get a few big names to commit early. In recent weeks, Colangelo, national team manager Sean Ford and coach Gregg Popovich have been working on phones and selling style of play.
Unlike in 2019, when Americans were disappointed to finish seventh in the World Cup with a team with traditional centers and limited shooting, this list is full of players who can play multiple seats and are shooting experts.
“Versatility and sportiness are trademarks of this group,” said Colangelo, who will retire after the Tokyo Games after 16 years of leading the U.S. team. “Our staff thinks this is a very competitive group and we have a shooting we have been missing. We are going to go to camp with confidence that we are doing well.”
The U.S. team will gather on July 4 for a training camp in Las Vegas and play show games against Spain, Australia, Nigeria and Argentina before leaving for Tokyo.
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