With the Paris 2024 Olympics on the horizon, USA Basketball has officially announced its 41 finalists for the men’s national team.
This year’s historic Olympic games will take place in France from July 26 to August 11, 2024 with two Knicks and two Nets making the player pool.
The Paris Player Pool 🫡
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/OWIml1e8Rt
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) January 23, 2024
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson
Wearing number 11 for the Knicks is guard Jalen Brunson. The Villanova alum was selected 33rd overall in the 2nd round of the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks and played his first four seasons in the NBA with them before being traded to the Knicks in 2022. Brunson is a prime example of leadership on the court and became a rising star with his efficient scoring as he performs with ease. He is currently averaging 26.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists making it no surprise that he is a finalist for Team USA. Brunson was also named captain of the 2023 FIBA Men's World Cup team averaging eleven points while starting in all eight games, helping the U.S. claim fourth-place.
Josh Hart
Shooting guard Josh Hart’s selection to be a finalist for the 2024 Paris Olympics came off as questionable to many. Since Hart’s numbers don’t stand out this season, fans were shocked to see his name on the finalist list over Julius Randle. However, many assume it’s because Hart was a part of Team USA for the 2023 FIBA World Cup alongside Brunson.
The two Villanova graduates played together for two years as Wildcats. They helped win the title together during 2015-2016 along with the Big East tournament in the 2016-2017 season.
Brooklyn Nets
Mikal Bridges
Nets small forward Mikal Bridges joins his former Villanova and 2023 FIBA World Cup teammates Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on the 2024 Olympic finalist list. These three have clearly come a long way, and it doesn’t come as a shock that Bridges joins them as a potential candidate. Mikal Bridges has the ability to adapt to any role or situation making him one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. Bridges is a selfless player and constantly evolving on offense while averaging 21.4 points per game.
Cam Johnson
Small forward Cam Johnson is currently averaging 13.9 points for the Nets and joins the rest of the three New York stars as a previous 2023 FIBA World Cup participant. He was paired with Mikal Bridges as they were both traded from the Phoenix Suns to Brooklyn in exchange for Kevin Durant in February 2023. Since then, Johnson has developed into an elite three-point shooter and reliable shot creator.
Players who are not in the pool still have the chance to make the Olympic team, however, only 12 of the finalists are selected and will head to Paris this summer.
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