And I really do want to play in the Olympics.” If we had a chance, or if we would qualify for the Olympics, that will be an easy decision. But the goal is also to play in the Olympics. Cameroon, I’m born there, I’m from there and I always want to represent my country. “My goal is to play in the Olympics,” Embiid said. because he has dual citizenship - and his birth country, Cameroon, still has a shot at qualifying for the Paris Games as well. He would be eligible to play for France or the U.S. The uniform he’d wear is still a mystery.Įmbiid isn’t a man without a country, but rather a man who just hasn’t chosen a country yet. We’ll see what happens.”Īlso planning to play in the Olympics: Joel Embiid. Rebound a little bit, pass a little bit, defend, block some shots, you know? But we’ll see. “From the players that we have here off the top of my head that could fill that roster up, I don’t think it would be too much of a physical toll,” said Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, the NBA's all-time scoring leader confirming that he's interested in another shot at gold. It's a wonderful problem for USA Basketball to have. This much is clear: There are 12 roster spots and a lot more than 12 interested players. Kyrie Irving said the same at Dallas' media day last week, and Draymond Green previously indicated that he wants another Olympic opportunity.

Others expressed the same sentiment: Bam Adebayo has said he’s committed to the team, while DeMar DeRozan, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jaylen Brown, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Julius Randle, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Fred VanVleet and Brook Lopez are among those who indicated they would play if asked. “Definitely want to be there,” Curry said at Golden State's media day.

“I will play in the Olympics next year,” Durant adamantly said at Phoenix’s media day.Ĭurry essentially said the same, because if he wants to play, it's certain that USA Basketball will find him a spot. wins, Durant would be the first men's player with four basketball golds. He's planning to go to France for work next summer, and plenty of other big NBA names hope to join him.ĭurant - along with many other top players, including Curry, the all-time 3-point king - said Monday at media days being held around the league that he plans to play for his country at next summer’s Paris Olympics, when the Americans will try for a fifth consecutive gold medal. Kevin Durant just got done with his summer vacation.

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