Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is returning to the Olympics. The USA Basketball announced the player pool for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday, with the list of 41 names being headlined by James, Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, and Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant.

James, who has two gold medals with Team USA, hasn’t played at the Olympics since the London Games in 2012. Curry is looking to play at his first Olympics, while Durant is looking for his fourth consecutive gold medal. Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who previously snubbed France and committed to playing for Team USA, is also on the list.

The rest of the player pool is a mix of established veterans and young superstars. The veterans include Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks), and Paul George (Los Angeles Clipper), while young talent is represented by Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) and Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder).

With a star-studded list, Team USA is looking to send a statement to the rest of the world after an underwhelming performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Team USA sent a team without many big names at the World Cup but returned empty-handed, finishing seventh.

It is important to note that the player pool is just a provisional list that will be subject to changes as the Paris Olympics approaches. However, all the players that are currently on it have expressed the desire to represent the United States in the summer.

The post LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant Headline U.S. Player Pool for 2024 Paris Olympics appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The USA Basketball Men’s National Team could see a return of its biggest and brightest stars for the 2024 Summer Olympics. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James wants to play for Team USA at the Olympics tournament and intends to recruit several other high-profile NBA names.

Charania reports that James sees the 2024 Paris Olympics as a perfect chance to end his stint with Team USA on a high note. The 38-year-old last played for the U.S. in 2012, when he helped his country win a gold medal.

James has already been in contact with a number of NBA stars he wants to join him in 2024. Reportedly, Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant and Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry also see the Paris Olympics as their last chance to play meaningful games with Team USA. Curry would be especially motivated as he never played at the Olympics before.

It is believed that James also spoke with his Lakers’ teammate Anthony Davis, Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, and Golden State’s Draymond Green about teaming up on Team USA. Suns’ Devin Booker, Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving, and Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard previously also expressed a level of interest in playing in Paris.

Team USA general director Grant Hill and head coach Steve Kerr will definitely be thrilled with the news, especially after a disappointing 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign. The Americans missed out on a medal, suffering a 127-118 overtime loss to Canada in a third-place match.

The post Lebron James Wants to Play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James won’t be part of Team USA at the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. James confirmed this to The Athletic while adding that he never intended to play on the competition despite the fact that one of his favorite coaches, San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, will be at the helm of United States’ basketball team. 

“I love everything about Pop, obviously, but this is not a good summer for me,” – said James.

The 34-year-old, however, didn’t rule out the possibility of competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. He would be chasing his third Olympic Gold.

“Yeah, that’s a possibility,” – he added. “It depends on how I feel. I love the Olympics.”

Instead of playing on the FIBA World Cup, LeBron James will spend the summer training and filming Space Jam 2. The movie will be directed by Terence Nance and is set for release on July 16, 2021.

This means that James won’t play another competitive basketball game until October. He was recently shut down for the season as his Los Angeles Lakers lost every chance of making it to the playoffs.

James played a total of 55 games this season (career-low) and averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.

The post LeBron James Won’t Play at FIBA World Cup But Might go to 2020 Olympics appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is returning to the Olympics. The USA Basketball announced the player pool for the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday, with the list of 41 names being headlined by James, Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, and Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant.

James, who has two gold medals with Team USA, hasn’t played at the Olympics since the London Games in 2012. Curry is looking to play at his first Olympics, while Durant is looking for his fourth consecutive gold medal. Reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid, who previously snubbed France and committed to playing for Team USA, is also on the list.

The rest of the player pool is a mix of established veterans and young superstars. The veterans include Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat), Kyrie Irving (Dallas Mavericks), and Paul George (Los Angeles Clipper), while young talent is represented by Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) and Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City Thunder).

With a star-studded list, Team USA is looking to send a statement to the rest of the world after an underwhelming performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Team USA sent a team without many big names at the World Cup but returned empty-handed, finishing seventh.

It is important to note that the player pool is just a provisional list that will be subject to changes as the Paris Olympics approaches. However, all the players that are currently on it have expressed the desire to represent the United States in the summer.

The post LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant Headline U.S. Player Pool for 2024 Paris Olympics appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The USA Basketball Men’s National Team could see a return of its biggest and brightest stars for the 2024 Summer Olympics. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James wants to play for Team USA at the Olympics tournament and intends to recruit several other high-profile NBA names.

Charania reports that James sees the 2024 Paris Olympics as a perfect chance to end his stint with Team USA on a high note. The 38-year-old last played for the U.S. in 2012, when he helped his country win a gold medal.

James has already been in contact with a number of NBA stars he wants to join him in 2024. Reportedly, Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant and Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry also see the Paris Olympics as their last chance to play meaningful games with Team USA. Curry would be especially motivated as he never played at the Olympics before.

It is believed that James also spoke with his Lakers’ teammate Anthony Davis, Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum, and Golden State’s Draymond Green about teaming up on Team USA. Suns’ Devin Booker, Dallas Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving, and Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard previously also expressed a level of interest in playing in Paris.

Team USA general director Grant Hill and head coach Steve Kerr will definitely be thrilled with the news, especially after a disappointing 2023 FIBA World Cup campaign. The Americans missed out on a medal, suffering a 127-118 overtime loss to Canada in a third-place match.

The post Lebron James Wants to Play for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar LeBron James won’t be part of Team USA at the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. James confirmed this to The Athletic while adding that he never intended to play on the competition despite the fact that one of his favorite coaches, San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich, will be at the helm of United States’ basketball team. 

“I love everything about Pop, obviously, but this is not a good summer for me,” – said James.

The 34-year-old, however, didn’t rule out the possibility of competing at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. He would be chasing his third Olympic Gold.

“Yeah, that’s a possibility,” – he added. “It depends on how I feel. I love the Olympics.”

Instead of playing on the FIBA World Cup, LeBron James will spend the summer training and filming Space Jam 2. The movie will be directed by Terence Nance and is set for release on July 16, 2021.

This means that James won’t play another competitive basketball game until October. He was recently shut down for the season as his Los Angeles Lakers lost every chance of making it to the playoffs.

James played a total of 55 games this season (career-low) and averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game.

The post LeBron James Won’t Play at FIBA World Cup But Might go to 2020 Olympics appeared first on SportzBonanza.