The USA Basketball Men’s National Team announced the final roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics and Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving did not make the final cut for the team. Irving was initially named a finalist in a player pool of 41 players to make the final roster.
Grant Hill, Managing Director of USA Basketball Men’s National Team, finalized a team of 12 All-Stars featuring Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis and Kawhi Leonard.
“I would have loved to [be on the Olympics team], but I wish my brothers well and I just didn’t fit into this team. And I think the deliberation process was a tough one. But again, I have nothing but respect for those guys over at USAB. You know, at this point in my career, I think my focus should be on winning the championship and you know, in the summertime just going to support those guys when I get a chance.” Kyrie Irving stated on not making the 2024 Summer Olympics team.
Irving mentioned he missed the previous process of trying out for the team, when the best players would have scrimmages and drills to see who fit the best together.
“I grew up in a time too where we actually had to try out for USAB and we did meet up as a group and as peers and there was a mutual respect that we earn from one another and trying out and then seeing what 5 meshed well. So I think obviously the timings a little bit different, but yeah, I kind of missed those days of just being able to get everybody together, break bread and then compete against one another and then the deliberation process happens at the end of like the four days or five day process, even though people know who’s going to be on the team.” Kyrie Irving reflected on the changing dynamics of Team USA selection process.
Irving had a case to make the final roster for the USA Men’s National Team headed to France this summer.
Irving was one of the leaders on Team USA at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the team won a gold medal. He was named FIBA Basketball World Cup Most Valuable Player. In 9 games, Irving averaged 12.1 points, 3.6 assists and 2.6 per game. He was then named the 2014 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.
Irving helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. In 8 games, he averaged 11.4 points, 4.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game. It was the same year he won a NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is one of just six members of Team USA to win the NBA championship and Olympic gold medal in the same year. The other players include LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton.
Irving had experience in 2012 as an Olympic Select Team member on the USA Basketball Select Team. He also has experience on the U18 team as a member of the USA Junior National Team in 2010, they won a gold medal. Irving was also a participant in the Nike Hoop Summit in 2010, which features the USA Basketball Men’s Junior Select Team against a World Select Team of international players.
The leadership Irving had as a starter with Team USA in the past could have made him a valuable player for the national team, as they are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 World Cup. USA finished in fourth place and didn’t place for a medal. He is a natural fit for international play. He has a high IQ and basketball mind that allows him to understand. On the court, he has the versatility on offense to be an elite scorer, playmaker finding open teammates or an off-ball shooter.
The 32-year-old guard has the ability to succeed in high-pressure moments can be a comfort for the national team. Irving is arguably the best ball-handler to ever play, a good rebounder for his size and commits to defense with quick hands and awareness help round out his game.
Irving has played and won at the highest level, from hitting game winning shot in the NBA Finals to winning a gold medal as a starter in the Olympics and FIBA World Cup.
“It was not easy by any stretch of imagination, but certainly beyond thrilled that we have assembled this roster of 12.” Grant Hill states on choosing players from the player pool.
The 2024 Paris Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26th to August 11th.
Irving is also coming off one of his best seasons in the NBA. Irving is one of nine players average at least 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 2023-24 (min. 50 games played). He was only a handful of shots away from a 50/40/90 season as he shot 49.7% from the field, 41.1% beyond the arc and 90.5% from the free throw line.
Irving quickly shifts his focus back to the Dallas Mavericks as he prepares for another gold reward in his first playoff series with the team. The Mavs guard will be well rested as he will have a total of 10 days between his last game played and Game 1 against the LA Clippers.
“I like the challenge for our first series going against you know for future Hall of Farmers and getting a chance to see where we where we stack up, that’s that’s really exciting.”
The Mavericks and Clippers series begins Sunday in Los Angeles.