After being one of the lead assistants on Steve Kerr’s staff during the 2024 Olympics, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will get the chance to lead Team USA into the Los Angeles Games.
Per ESPN’s Shams Charania, Spoelstra will be named the next head coach of USA men’s Basketball.
Charania noted that Spoelstra’s hiring continues the promotional infrastructure within USA Basketball. Kerr took over following the 2020 Olympics after serving as an assistant on Gregg Popovich’s staff.
Spoelstra will be taking over at a very crucial moment for the United States men’s national team. The 2024 squad that won gold in Paris was led by LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
It’s possible that will mark the final Team USA run for all three players. By the time the 2028 Olympics roll around, James will be 43, Curry will be 40 and Durant will be roughly one month away from his 40th birthday.
There was also a foundation put in place for the next generation of American stars to take over. Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo won back-to-back gold medals in 2020 and 2024. Anthony Edwards made his Olympic debut in 2024 after being a standout at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Potential new additions to the Olympic team going into 2028 could include Cooper Flagg after his dazzling performance with the select team in a scrimmage against Team USA last summer and Paolo Banchero after he joined the U.S. team for the 2023 FIBA World Cup following a previous stint with Italy.
Spoelstra and Team USA managing director Grant Hill will begin evaluating options as they put together a roster for the 2027 FIBA World Cup.
The 2028 Olympics will take place from July 14-30 in Los Angeles. Team USA has won five consecutive gold medals and a 35-1 overall record in Olympic competition dating back to the 2008 Games.