Team USA basketball team players with forward LeBron James (C) attend a training session at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d Ascq, northern France, on July 24, 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024 men’s basketball games. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Team USA is out for redemption in the Paris Olympics 2024 men’s basketball tournament.
The Americans are, indeed, the defending kings of Olympic basketball with 16 overall titles but the 2024 Fiba World Cup saw Team USA fly back to home soil without any medals.
SCHEDULE: Men’s basketball at Paris Olympics 2024
So with a qualification in hand and redemption in mind, Team USA assembled what some called as “The Avengers” or the “Super-team of all super-teams” to bounce back from a poor showing in last year’s global competition.
TEAM USA BASKETBALL ROSTER
Initially deemed as a complete lineup a few weeks back, Team USA had to pivot and make some changes with the departure of Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard from the lineup.
The Final 12 for the Americans are:
- Stephen Curry
- Anthony Davis
- Bam Adebayo
- Devin Booker
- Kevin Durant
- Anthony Edwards
- Joel Embiid
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Jrue Holiday
- Jayson Tatum
- Derrick White (replacing Leonard)
- LeBron James – Team USA flag-bearer for Paris Olympics.
Steve Kerr will call the shots with assistant coach Mark Few, Tyronn Lue and Erik Spoelstra.
TEAM USA BASKETBALL SCHEDULE (PH TIME)
The Pierre Mauroy Stadium will be the battleground for Team USA during the preliminary round in a bracket that promises to give the Americans a run for their money.
Team USA begins its bid for a five-peat Olympic crown on July 28 against World Cup silver medalist Serbia.
Full Team USA Basketball schedule below:
July 28, Sunday
- 11:15 pm – Serbia vs Team USA
August 1, Thursday
- 3 am – Team USA vs South Sudan
August 3, Saturday
- 11:15 pm – Puerto Rico vs Team USA
August 6, Tuesday quarterfinals
August 7, Wednesday – quarterfinals
August 8, Thursday – semifinals
August 9, Friday – semifinals
August 10, Saturday -battle for bronze
August 11, Sunday – gold medal game
THE ROADBLOCKS
Before they could even think of tasting their 17th overall Olympics title, the Americans woild have to go through Pool C first.
And it’s not looking easy.
READ: Team USA wake-up call arrives with Paris Olympics just days away
Here are their pool mates for the Paris Olympics:
- Serbia
- 2024 Fiba World Cup silver medalist
- Unlike their run in the World Cup, the Serbians will have the services of Denver Nuggets star and NBA champion, Nikola Jokic.
- World Cup standouts Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Milutinov and Nikola Jovic return in the lineup.
- South Sudan
- Got its first appearance and first Fiba World Cup win last year, alone.
- Narrowly lost to Team USA in a tune-up game by just one point.
- Carlik Jones, Marial Shayok and Wenyen Gabriel all return for the Sudanese.
- Puerto Rico
- Known for its hard-nosed style of play, Puerto Rico will be a foe to watch out for the Americans.
- Jose Alvarado, who missed the World Cup, will be a huge addition for the Puerto Ricans.
- Sniper Tremont Waters and physical big Ismael Romero will stay in the lineup.
TEAM USA PATH TO THE GOLD
Teams are allowed two losses in the group phase so long as they secure the top two spots.
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After the pool games, as usual, the quarterfinals, semifinals and the gold medal match will all be knockout games.
Follow Inquirer Sports’ special coverage of the Paris Olympics 2024.