The 2028 Olympics are set to take place in Los Angeles, and speculation is already swirling around key leadership changes for Team USA Basketball. Steve Kerr, the esteemed head coach, has announced that he will step down after the Paris 2024 Games. Kerr, who also serves as head coach for the Golden State Warriors, believes that it's prudent to pass the torch after a single Olympic cycle.
"To me, it's a two-year; it's a cycle," Kerr noted. "Pop coached a World Cup and the Olympics, now it's my turn to pass the baton. I think that's kind of how it should be."
Potential Successors
As Kerr prepares to step down, the basketball community has turned its attention to potential successors. Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue are leading the pack. Both have impressive records in the NBA and have served as assistant coaches under Kerr during the Paris Games.
Spoelstra, a seasoned coach with the Miami Heat, has a storied career that includes two NBA championships and six NBA Finals appearances. On the other hand, Tyronn Lue has guided the Cleveland Cavaliers to three NBA Finals appearances and secured a championship in 2016. Their combined experience and past performances undoubtedly make them strong contenders for the head coach position.
Kerr underscored the evolution of the coaching role within Team USA, contrasting it with the tenure of Mike Krzyzewski and Jerry Colangelo. "I think it was different the last go-around with Coach K (Mike Krzyzewski) and Jerry (Colangelo), when they were really establishing this culture and this system where guys had to commit for a couple years," Kerr said. "Made sense for Coach K to stay on. But I think where we are now, one cycle and you move on."
World Cup Challenges
Spoelstra and Lue's coaching credentials were further tested during their leadership of the 2023 FIBA World Cup squad. The team managed a fourth-place finish, an improvement from the seventh-place finish in the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Nonetheless, there remains much work to be done for Team USA to reclaim its dominant position on the global stage.
Player Considerations for 2028
In addition to coaching changes, player rosters for the 2028 Olympics are already a topic of discussion. Jaylen Brown is one of the key players being considered to step up for Team USA. Meanwhile, the international stage could see the participation of Joel Embiid, who is contemplating representing Cameroon in 2028.
However, not all top-tier players will be competing in every major international event leading up to the Olympics. Anthony Edwards has already ruled out participating in the 2027 FIBA World Cup, signaling possible strategic rest periods and preparations for key athletes.
As the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approach, the anticipation continues to build. Between potential coaching shifts and emerging player line-ups, the landscape of Team USA Basketball is poised for significant developments. Sports enthusiasts and analysts alike will be watching closely as these changes unfold, keeping an eye on how the new leadership and roster choices will shape the team's future.