The planning for the 2028 USA men’s Olympic basketball team will kick off next NBA season when USA Basketball’s Grant Hill starts evaluating players. While no names are set in stone yet, Anthony Edwards is expected to be a key player. His standout performance and gold medal win in Paris make him a strong candidate.
“I can’t speak on that,” Edwards commented. “I can only speak on what I have around my neck right now.”
But there’s more to the story.
“This was the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball.”
For the 2024 gold medal team, many players had already earned their spots—LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant were top choices, alongside big men like Anthony Davis, Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo. Those decisions were straightforward.
However, the 2028 team will represent a new era and a shift in the lineup. Age will likely affect many current stars, so the search for emerging talent begins now.
Projecting the team this far in advance is challenging. Various factors like injuries, declining performance (such as with Embiid), and unexpected new stars will influence the roster. Additionally, some players might choose not to commit to the Olympic schedule.
Team USA typically prefers experienced players for the Olympics, reserving younger talents for World Cup teams which serve as a proving ground. Thus, while Cooper Flagg impressed on the USA Olympic practice team, he’ll need to perform well in the World Cup before solidifying his place for 2028. If he excels there, he could very well be a candidate for the next Olympic team.