Los Angeles (AFP)
Kevin Durant, double Olympic champion, will be the spearhead of a renewed United States basketball team, in search of a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal, whose selection was unveiled Monday for the Tokyo Games ( July 23-August 8).
Exit LeBron James, exit Steph Curry, who will not be on the trip: the star of Team USA version Tokyo will be that of the Brooklyn Nets.
Durant, 32, is part of a very powerful American team led by Gregg Popovich, coach of the San Antonio Spurs, with assistants Steve Kerr, Lloyd Pierce and Jay Wright.
Durant, a Games gold medalist with the United States in 2012 and 2016, becomes the fourth American basketball player selected for three or more Olympic teams, along with Carmelo Anthony (4), Lebron James (3) and David Robinson (3).
James had indicated after the elimination of the Lakers in the play-offs wanting to preserve himself physically, like Anthony Davis, who spent much of last season treating injuries.
And Steph Curry didn't position himself clearly enough.
The squad will be made up of three players currently in the NBA play-offs: Phoenix back Devin Booker and Milwaukee duo Khris Middleton / Jrue Holiday.
The finals must end no later than July 22, one day before the official start of the Games.
"I am happy for the selected players and look forward to having the opportunity to work with this wonderful group when training begins on July 6 in Las Vegas," said Popovich.
For his part, the director of the American selection Jerry Colangelo spoke of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the 2020/2021 NBA season to take place later and made the selection of the team "difficult ".
"We still have a lot of challenges ahead, but I believe these players will become a team that all Americans will be proud of."
he added.
The United States basketball team for the Tokyo Olympics:
Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Jerami Grant (Detroit Pistons), Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavaliers), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee Bucks), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).
© 2021 AFP