Olympic basketball begins Saturday, a event that includes perennial powers like Workforce USA to a Cinderella group from a brand new nation in South Sudan.
However past the international locations’ quests for medals, the Olympics is a spot for particular person gamers to make, or cement, their reputations.
Listed here are the ten NBA gamers with probably the most using on these Olympic Video games.
1. LeBron James, USA
James admitted in 2016 that Michael Jordan was “this ghost I am chasing.” Jordan gained six championships, which may be out of attain for the 39-year-old James, however James may beat Jordan’s two Olympic golds, gained in 1984 and 1992, with a possible third gold this 12 months, as his different got here in 2008 and 2012. James has been the go-to man for Workforce USA down the stretch, so he’ll get a ton of credit score if the People win — and the blame in the event that they lose.
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Canada
Gilgeous-Alexander led Workforce Canada to its first Olympic basketball berth since 2000. His group beat out Workforce USA for the bronze medal on the FIBA World Cup final 12 months and is the No. 2 favourite to medal behind Workforce USA. If it does find yourself profitable a medal, it will be Canadian basketball’s first since 1936. SGA is one of the best participant in Canada and an NBA All-Star, however a giant Olympic efficiency may launch him in a manner {that a} Christina Aguilera-themed business by no means may.
3. Victor Wembanyama, France
The reigning Rookie of the 12 months may be the participant most capable of individually have an effect on his group’s fortunes due to his mix of shot-blocking, taking pictures and passing. France has different NBA gamers like Rudy Gobert and Nic Batum, however the 7-foot-4 Wembanyama is the difference-maker. His group has struggled in warmup video games, however nobody will do not forget that if Wemby can deliver house gold in his house nation. He’ll go from being a future NBA MVP to a present nationwide hero.
4. Kevin Durant, USA
Durant has an opportunity to set a file for males’s basketball by profitable his fourth gold medal, if his injured calf muscle will cooperate. KD acquired unfair criticism for leaping to the Golden State Warriors in 2016, but it surely’s clear that the “Slim Reaper” thrives on a brilliant group, whether or not it is within the common season or the Olympic Video games. Bringing house one other gold could be unprecedented for Durant, who additionally desires to validate Workforce USA’s selection to stay with him via his accidents.
5. Patty Mills, Australia
Mills is taking part in in his fourth Olympics because the elder member of an Australian technology of gamers that is making a big impact within the NBA. The Boomers have 9 present or former NBA gamers, third behind simply Canada and the USA, together with latest lottery picks Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels. Mills scored 42 factors within the bronze medal recreation on the Tokyo Video games to win Australia its first ever basketball medal. One other medal would make him definitively Australia’s best worldwide participant.
6. Dennis Schroder, Germany
Schroder was the flag-bearer on the opening ceremonies for the German Olympic group, partly due to his function main his house nation to gold on the 2023 FIBA World Cup. For a participant who’s maybe finest recognized for “fumbling the bag” by turning down an enormous long-term contract from the Los Angeles Lakers, Schroder has been a killer in worldwide play. Paired with the Orlando Magic’s Wagner brothers (Franz and Mo), Schroder has an opportunity to redefine his legacy — so long as he does not fumble a medal as nicely.
7. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece
The Greek Freak was injured for every of the final two NBA playoffs, which has made NBA followers underestimate the two-time MVP after the Milwaukee Bucks misplaced within the first spherical in 2023 and 2024. However Antetokounmpo may nonetheless be one of the best basketball participant on this planet when he is wholesome, and he seems to be so heading into the Paris Video games. He and his Greek group have a brutal preliminary group alongside Germany, Canada and the world’s No. 2 group, Spain, however Antetokounmpo may ship a giant message by knocking off a number of of the powerhouses.
8. Nikola Jokic, Serbia
Jokic is a three-time NBA MVP whose Serbian group made the FIBA World Cup closing final summer time with out him. Now he is again on the group and in a gaggle with Workforce USA, South Sudan and Puerto Rico, the place Serbia ought to advance. The one upside to Jokic’s early playoff exit with the Denver Nuggets is that he had an additional month to relaxation, watch horse racing and put together to take out his NBA frustration on different nationwide groups.
9. Rudy Gobert, France
Gobert will get to play in entrance of his house followers for the Olympics after a run to the convention finals with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Nonetheless, probably the most profitable playoffs of Gobert’s profession was marred by constant criticism of his protection even after he gained Defensive Participant of the 12 months. For France, Gobert must show he can play offense alongside Wembanyama. Plus, after shedding the gold medal recreation by simply 5 factors in Tokyo, Gobert desires revenge on Workforce USA, and all his critics.
10. Jayson Tatum, USA
For a man who simply gained his first NBA title with the Boston Celtics, Tatum has spent the summer time catching loads of strays. Carmelo Anthony said Tatum did not have the “aura” to be the face of the NBA. Workforce USA’s Joel Embiid discredited Tatum’s championship by complaining that Tatum had a “super-team” round him in Boston. However the getting older Workforce USA goes to want Tatum in some unspecified time in the future in Paris. Would profitable gold and an NBA title in the identical summer time lastly silence his haters?
