Published 12:42 IST, February 11th 2020
LeBron James heads 44-man preliminary squad of USA basketball team for Tokyo Olympics 2020
USA Basketball team announced its 44-man preliminary squad for 2020 Olympics on Monday night (Tuesday IST) featuring LeBron James, Stephen Curry and others.
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The USA national basketball team announced its 44-man preliminary squad for 2020 Olympics on Monday night (Tuesday IST). Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, who helped the USA Olympic basketball team win two gold medals (2008 and 2012) is heading the list while injured stars Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry are also included in the preliminary squad. The official 12-man roster for the 2020 U.S. Olympic Men’s Basketball Team will be announced later.
We Have Something To Prove
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) February 10, 2020
44 athletes, including 16 Olympians, are #USABMNT finalists for the @Tokyo2020 Olympic Games
»» https://t.co/fB5Z7pYQ4p pic.twitter.com/RJB1k0Mt83
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Team USA basketball 2020 preliminary squad announced
The 44-man initial squad astonishingly includes 19 players who have won a total of 31 gold medals in either Olympic or other international, multi-event competitions for USA. Nine players included captured the gold medal in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. 15 of the 16 players are scheduled to play in the upcoming NBA All-Star game.
Team USA basketball 2020: Announced players
Bam Adebayo (Heat); LaMarcus Aldridge (Spurs); Harrison Barnes Kings); Bradley Beal (Wizards); Devin Booker (Suns); Malcolm Brogdon (Pacers); Jaylen Brown (Celtics); Jimmy Butler (Heat); Mike Conley (Jazz); Stephen Curry (Warriors); Anthony Davis (Lakers); DeMar DeRozan (Spurs); Andre Drummond (Cavaliers); Kevin Durant (Nets); Paul George (Clippers); Draymond Green (Warriors); James Harden (Rockets); Montrezl Harrell (Clippers); Joe Harris (Nets); Tobias Harris (76ers); Gordon Hayward (Celtics); Dwight Howard (Lakers); Brandon Ingram (Pelicans); Kyrie Irving (Nets); LeBron James (Lakers); Kyle Kuzma (Lakers); Kawhi Leonard (Clippers); Damian Lillard (Blazers); Brook Lopez (Bucks); Kevin Love (Cavaliers); Kyle Lowry (Raptors); JaVale McGee (Lakers); Khris Middleton (Bucks); Donovan Mitchell (Jazz); Victor Oladipo (Pacers); Chris Paul (Thunder); Mason Plumlee ( Nuggets); Marcus Smart (Celtics); Jayson Tatum (Celtics); Klay Thompson (Warriors); Myles Turner (Pacers); Kemba Walker (Celtics); Russell Westbrook (Rockets); and Derrick White (Spurs).
Team USA basketball 2020: Coaching staff
The USA National Team coaching staff is led by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich with Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce and Villanova University head coach Jay Wright serving as assistant coaches.
Team USA basketball 2020: LeBron James contemplating return at Tokyo Olympics 2020?
Thread:
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) February 10, 2020
USA Basketball announces the list of 44 finalists for the Olympic men's basketball team.
LeBron James has evidently indicated that he is interested in playing in what would be his fourth Olympics, chasing a third gold medal.
The team will be pared to 12 by early June.
LeBron James has played in 68 games for the U.S. national team and has represented the team in 2004, 2008 and 2012 editions of the Olympics and also in 2006 FIBA Basketball World Cup. After sitting out the trip to Rio, LeBron James has stated multiple times that he is thinking about another Olympics.
USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo stated to The Associated Press that the selection was made with equity in mind. Colangelo further added that there will no tryouts and the final squad will be announced by early June.
The training camp is expected to start in early July after the end of the NBA Finals. The 2020 Olympics is set to start on July 24 in Tokyo, Japan.
12:42 IST, February 11th 2020