USA Basketball is set to get going for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, but they may be without one of the greatest players in the world. The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Joe Vardon are reporting that Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is dealing with a mild calf strain and is sidelined to begin Team USA training camp. It is important to note that it is also noted as precautionary, but the mind begins to wonder with calf strains and Kevin Durant.
Durant is the all-time leading point scorer for USA Basketball as he has scored 435 total points, which is 99 points ahead of Carmelo Anthony for the lead for the nation. Those are also the only two USA Basketball players to win three gold medals in the Olympics for 5×5 men’s basketball.
There has been no word on if Kevin Durant will miss any games for the 2024 Olympics in Paris before their first Olympic game against Serbia on July 28, but do not expect Durant to play for Team USA to begin the USA Basketball Showcase on July 10.
What should we expect out of USA Basketball in the 2024 Olympics?
The USA Basketball roster has been one of the most talented that the country has sent to the Olympics with the talent littered throughout. Below is the roster for the Paris 2024 Olympics team.
- Bam Adebayo
- Devin Booker
- Stephen Curry
- Anthony Davis
- Kevin Durant
- Anthony Edwards
- Joel Embiid
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Jrue Holiday
- LeBron James
- Kawhi Leonard
- Jayson Tatum
The USA Basketball team has been one of the most dominant in the Olympics as they have won the gold medal in each of the previous four Olympics as well as in 16 of the 20 Summer Olympics throughout the history of The Games. The only years that they have not won the gold was in 1972 (Silver), 1980 (Withdrew), 1988 (Bronze), and 2004 (Bronze).
With other nations having better teams as the world of basketball continues to improve, still expect the United States to completely dominate with head coach Steve Kerr leading the way for the first time in the Olympics. Whether Kevin Durant does or does not play, this team has more than enough talent to win the gold medal.
About the Author
Vincent Pensabene graduated from Saint Leo University in 2019 with a B.A. in Sport Business and has focused on the media side of sports. He writes for multiple publications and is interested in the reasoning of why things happen. Feel free to follow him on social media @TalkVinTalk and discuss all things sports.
