Fifteen players have been added to the list of finalists for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team, USA Basketball announced today in a press release. The group will eventually be pared down to 12 players who will participate in the Olympic Games, which are set for July 23 to August 8 in Tokyo.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will serve as coach for the U.S. team, with Warriors coach Steve Kerr, Villanova coach Jay Wright and former Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce as his assistants.
No tryouts will be held this year. Instead, USA Basketball will choose the final roster by early summer. Training camp is scheduled to being in early July before the conclusion of the NBA playoffs.
“With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics from 2020 to 2021, it’s important that we continue to remain flexible and consider all players who can contribute to our efforts to field the best USA team possible,” USA Basketball men’s national team managing director Jerry Colangelo said. “These additions we are announcing today will help ensure that we are doing that. Having a larger player pool than what we normally have is critical because of all of the uncertainties we face about availability. But for USA Basketball to receive the commitment of so many outstanding players remains an indicator of the great honor of representing your country means to these men.”
The new names under consideration are:
- Jarrett Allen (Cavaliers)
- Eric Gordon (Rockets)
- Jerami Grant (Pistons)
- Blake Griffin (Nets)
- Jrue Holiday (Bucks)
- DeAndre Jordan (Nets)
- Zach LaVine (Bulls)
- Julius Randle (Knicks)
- Duncan Robinson (Heat)
- Mitchell Robinson (Knicks)
- Fred VanVleet (Raptors)
- John Wall (Rockets)
- Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
- Christian Wood (Rockets)
- Trae Young (Hawks)
Forty-two players remain from the original list, which was announced in February 2020:
- Bam Adebayo (Heat)
- LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs)
- Harrison Barnes (Kings)
- Bradley Beal (Wizards)
- Devin Booker (Suns)
- Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers)
- Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
- Jimmy Butler (Heat)
- Mike Conley (Jazz)
- Stephen Curry (Warriors)
- Anthony Davis (Lakers)
- DeMar DeRozan (Spurs)
- Andre Drummond (Cavaliers)
- Kevin Durant (Nets)
- Paul George (Clippers)
- Draymond Green (Warriors)
- James Harden (Nets)
- Montrezl Harrell (Lakers)
- Joe Harris (Nets)
- Tobias Harris (76ers)
- Gordon Hayward (Hornets)
- Dwight Howard (Sixers)
- Brandon Ingram (Pelicans)
- Kyrie Irving (Nets)
- LeBron James (Lakers)
- Kyle Kuzma (Lakers)
- Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)
- Damian Lillard (Blazers)
- Brook Lopez (Bucks)
- Kevin Love (Cavaliers)
- Kyle Lowry (Raptors)
- JaVale McGee (Cavaliers)
- Khris Middleton (Bucks)
- Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)
- Victor Oladipo (Rockets)
- Chris Paul (Suns)
- Mason Plumlee (Pistons)
- Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
- Myles Turner (Pacers)
- Kemba Walker (Celtics)
- Russell Westbrook (Wizards)
- Derrick White (Spurs)
Two players removed from that list are Warriors guard Klay Thompson, who is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, and Celtics guard Marcus Smart. Sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic that Smart turned down an invitation because of injury concerns due to having a short offseason and playing late into consecutive seasons (Twitter link).
of course they had to put Zion on the list
Kind of surprised Zion wasnt on the original list over guys like Trez and Plumlee, but mostly JaVale McGee
Curry-Lillard-Paul
Harden-Butler
James-Leonard
Durant-Tatum
Davis-Adebayo
Theres 11. The 12th for me is between Tobias Harris, Zion Williamson, Paul George, Donovan Mitchell, Bradley Beal and Devin Booker.
Depending on what the r looking for. I think I’d lean towards Zion for the youth and to get him experience to “lead” the next couple USA teams. Bam and Zion being the “leaders” of the youth movement would b something that should b important moving forward.
It makes no sense having players from teams expected to go deep in the playoffs with the Olympics starting right after the NBA Finals. They will have to take that into consideration when they choose which 12 players make the national team.
Just my opinion, but if I was a player thought highly enough to be considered and also in the finals, I’d do both.