Kevin Durant to join US Olympics team for his fourth gold medal

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
4 Oct 2023 01:17

Kevin Durant will join LeBron James and other NBA stars to assemble a formidable team for potential participation in the 2024 Olympics.

Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant poses for a portrait during the NBA basketball team's media day, in Phoenix, United States, October 2, 2023. (AP)

NBA superstar Kevin Durant will play in next year's Olympics in France, seeking to win his fourth basketball gold medal, marking a first in US history.

"I will play in the Olympics next year," Durant told reporters during media day for the NBA Phoenix Suns.

LeBron James, the all-time NBA scoring leader and Los Angeles Lakers superstar, who secured gold medals in 2008 and 2012, downplayed his interest in the 2024 Olympics, saying, "Yeah, I do. I do have interest. We'll see what happens."

However, other players revealed that LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion who will turn 39 in December, has been a driving force behind the scenes in assembling a formidable roster for the 2024 Olympic Games.

"I would love to," said Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers. "I know Bron is in the forefront of creating a hell of a roster. But that's first and foremost on how my body is, how my health is, to finish the season.

LeBron James is well aware of the toll that a six-month NBA regular season, coupled with two months of playoffs, can take on players and their bodies, even before the grueling preparation and competition for Olympic gold.

Nevertheless, LeBron said, "Physical toll? I'll see how I feel at the end of the season."

Steph Curry, the Golden State Warriors guard and the NBA's all-time leader in 3-point baskets, who has clinched four NBA titles but not an Olympic gold medal, expressed his desire to seize the opportunity in Paris.

The US participated in the FIBA World Cup earlier in August, however, the team did not include the NBA's high-caliber players and suffered a 113-111 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the competition.

The country will hope for better results in France considering the names that have shown their readiness to join the team for the competition.