The peace days that American men’s basketball players sell on international gold medals have disappeared, and the intense Olympic battle with Serbia and France last year reminded us of the importance of our roster to the American team. Compiling a cannabis magazine of the 12 best players you can find is no longer an option – from a basketball perspective, the combination must make sense, which can lead to some incredible decisions. It has been a year since Team USA won the gold medal, and three years from now, the Americans will try to defend their gold medal in Los Angeles.
Grant Hill, managing director of US basketball, has the last word of the 2028 roster, but he will definitely receive comments from his coaching staff, which most likely won't be led by Steve Kerr. He will no longer be the head coach of Team USA. Whether he is replaced by one of his assistants (Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat, Tyronn Lue of the Los Angeles Clippers, a handful of Gonzaga or a newbie), they go out of their way to try to choose a star combination with skills and mindset to thrive on the international stage.
Given their games in Los Angeles, the 2028 game should be easier to sell to players – eliminating the long-haul flights and Jet Legia characteristics of Olympic residents. But it's also a challenge to have it because of high-level stages like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry, which may not even play NBA basketball, let alone be able to bring the United States into gold. James and Curry have Almost ruled out the returns in 2028while Durant left the door slightly. But for our purposes, let's assume that all three legends participated in their last Olympics.
If so, we will see the next generation of 2028, with Curry’s outstanding 2024 performance becoming the cherry of the unforgettable American basketball era that won the last five Olympic gold medals.
Taking these legends out of the equations, let's take a look at the potential 12-man lineup that might carry the torch and break down each choice in 2028.
Basketball Roster for the 2028 US Olympic Games
BAM ADEBAYOC31PAOLO BANCHEROF25
Devin Booker
g
31
Jalen Brunsong31Cade Cunninghamg26
Anthony Davis
f
35
Anthony Edwards
g
27
Joel Embiid
c
34
Tyrese Haliburton
g
28
Donovan Mitchell
g
31
Jayson Tatum
f
30
Jaylen Williams
f
27
reserve
Anthony Edwards of Minnesota
- Age in 2028: 27
- Olympic Appearance: 2024
Buying stocks at Edwards as the future face of American basketball is a good bet as the 24-year-old already owns two all-NBA trials and leads the Wolves to play in a row in the finals. Last year, he made his way into the scene in his Olympic debut, averaging 13 points per game, shooting 58% from the field and 48% from the three-point line. There is nothing to put stones, but it's shocking to see that Edwards' name isn't in the 2028 roster.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Age in 2028: 30
- Olympic Appearance : 2020, 2024
Assuming he recovered well from Achilles' surgery, Tatum was the third consecutive Olympics effortlessly. He will reach 30 in 2028, making him one of the leaders in experience and achievements. Tatum, in particular, didn't get much time from Kerr in Paris, and got DNP in two games, but it might not be the case in Los Angeles.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Sun
- Age in 2028: 31
- Olympic Games Appearance: 2020, 2024
Booker is also a virtual lock that can play the third consecutive Olympic team, as the prolific scorer already has a good track record on the international stage. He averaged 12 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in Paris, with an impressive 57/57/78 shooting split, asserting himself as one of the team’s most important players. It's hard to imagine Booker doing anything to endanger his position on the 2028 team.
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks
- Age in 2028: 35
- Olympic Appearance: 2012, 2024
Davis has been a major member of Team USA for over a decade, winning gold medals in all three games he competed in (the Olympics in 2012 and 2024, the 2014 World Cup). He is also the type of player required by the lineup, because not many big men can act like Davis on both ends of the floor. During his run in Paris, he averaged 8 points, seven rebounds, two assists and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 63% from the field. He will be a little longer on his teeth in 2028, but if he is healthy, he will almost certainly have another Olympic appearance.
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Age in 2028: 31
- Olympic Games Appearance: 2020, 2024
Like Davis, Adebayo represents the typical modern big man. He can guard one to five at one end when protecting the rims at one end and finishing the game at the other end. Adebayo also brings a play element that you can't get from many NBA centers, which makes him perfect for almost any squad combination. If he can expand offensive games with increased responsibilities over the next few years, he can play a bigger role in Los Angeles than in the first two Olympic appearances.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Age in 2028: 28
- Olympic Games Appearance: 2024
Haliburton is famously self-deprecating in his statistical contribution to Paris Gold, but anyone around him knows what he brings in leadership, energy and basketball IQ.
Last summer, he played in just three of six games, averaging three-pointers in nine minutes. Don't expect to continue doing this in 2028, assuming Haliburton recovers from the devastating Achilles injury he suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals in June. He even has a good chance of starting in Los Angeles, as his selfless game only improves the incredible talent around him.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Age in 2028: 34
- Olympic Games Appearance: 2024
We will choose to stay optimistic here and say Embiid will contribute to Team USA in 2028.
No one in the world can protect a healthy grace others, and even if wear and tear may limit him, his limit is enough to win him another place on the roster.
New blood
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
- Age in 2028: 31
- Olympic Games Appearance: Nothing
Brunson is on the 2024 Olympic team's candidate list According to Kerrbut was eventually excluded from the lineup. This won't happen in 2028, when he should have easily slipped into the vacancy left by Curry at the back position. Brunson has developed into one of the world's most prolific shooting guards, and despite his lack of size, his tenacity and intelligence should allow him to keep his defense on the international stage. He has not yet made an Olympic appearance, but Brunson won members of the U18 and U19 teams and won a key member of the 2023 World Cup team.
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
- Age in 2028: 25
- Olympic Games Appearance: Nothing
Banchero decided not to play some feathers for Italy in 2023 and then fit the Americans in the World Cup. The 6-foot-10 striker made a big leap in his third NBA season, with only improving as the Magic’s offensive average of 26 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5 assists. With such a unique skill set, he seems to have tailored a spot in the 2028 Olympic roster – especially if his three-point consistency improves.
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
- Age in 2028: 27
- Olympic Games Appearance: Nothing
Williams was an all-NBA and all-defensive performance in his third NBA season, an ideal combination of versatility and skills for the American roster. He was proven that he could play with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's absolute superstar, knowing when to postpone and when to assert himself. He will only improve over the next few seasons and should have a great chance to play for the first time in Los Angeles.
Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Age in 2028: 31
- Olympic Games Appearance: Nothing
It's hard to believe Mitchell has never been in the Olympic roster, and has said before that “this means the world plays for Team America.” Unfortunately, his only memory with them is a disappointing seventh place in the 2019 World Cup. He may line up for redemption in 2028, as Team USA will need to fill the scoring gap left by James, Curry and possibly Durant. Last season, all first-team NBA guards averaged 24 points and 5 assists per game while showing a willingness to sacrifice personal statistics for victory – the mentality he needed when he made his first Olympic appearance.
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
- Age in 2028: 26
- Olympic Games Appearance: Nothing
Cunningham is a 6-foot-6-foot point guard who is tall and powerful, and he is just experiencing his potential. It is frightening to imagine that he will have a hard time entering the Olympic roster in three years. His ability to play on the ball or play will be key, and in addition to finding his own offense, he can also set up his teammates' abilities. Cunningham won gold with Team USA at the U19 FIBA World Cup and 2028 seems to be the right time for him to step onto the Olympic stage.
On the radar: Evan Mobley, Jaylen Brown, Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Trae Young, Tyrese Maxey, Tyrese Maxey, Lamelo Ball, Tyler Herro, De'aaron Fox, De'aaron Fox, Brandon Miller, Trey Murphy III III,
Starting from 2024: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jaru Holidays, Derek White