2024 USA Men's Olympic basketball team snub-list: A list NBA superstars that were left out

2024 USA Men's Olympic basketball team snub-list: A list NBA superstars that were left out

Kevin Omuya
June 27, 2024 at 12:55 PM
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The 2024 USA Men's Olympic basketball team roster has sparked heated debates among basketball fans. Despite the undeniable talent of the chosen players, many are upset over the list of famous NBA legends omitted.

2024 USA basketball team snub list
Jalen Brunson (L) of the New York Knicks, Kyrie Irving (C) of the Dallas Mavericks, and Kawhi Leonard (R) of the LA Clippers. Photo: Sarah Stier, Elsa, Jacob Kupferman
Source: UGC

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Several excellent athletes failed to make Team USA's 12-man roster for the Olympic Games in Paris. Although the selection caused controversy, Team USA aims for its fifth consecutive gold medal.

2024 USA Men's Olympic basketball team snub list

Many people expected Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, and Paul George, three players with outstanding seasons, to make the squad. Their absence is surprising as fans and commentators wonder why the coach left them out of Team USA. Will their omission affect the team's performance in Paris?

The 12-man roster includes All-Stars LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton, and Bam Adebayo. Their star power at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris has many people predicting they will take home the gold medal.

Which NBA superstars will not be representing Team USA

Sports Brief has compiled the 2024 USA Men's Olympic basketball snub list published by CBS Sports and NBC Philadelphia. See who did not cut Team USA's 11-man roster by perusing this list.

1. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese Maxey
Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts during the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 30, 2024. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Tyrese Kendrid Maxey
  • Age: 23 (as of 2024)
  • Height: 1.88m
  • Current team: Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese's ability to continue playing despite Joel Embiid's injury is primarily due to Maxey. With an impressive shooting split of 45/37/87, the 23-year-old guard has averaged a career-high 25.9 points, 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and one steal.

The point guard set a new career best with an excellent shooting split of 45/37/87 in the 2023-2024 NBA season. He also averages 6.2 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and a steal.

2. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson
Jalen Brunson (R) of the New York Knicks dribbles the ball while being guarded by Aaron Nesmith (L) of the Indiana Pacers on May 17, 2024. Photo: Dylan Buell
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jalen Marquis Brunson
  • Age: 27 (as of 2024)
  • Height: 1.88m
  • Current team: New York Knicks

The Knicks' guard had a season-best 48/40/85 shooting percentage and a career-best 28.7 points, 6.7 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals average. Considering his impressive stats for the New York Knicks, choosing Holiday or even the younger Haliburton over Brunson has raised eyebrows.

3. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks

Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles during the fourth quarter of Game Five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on June 17, 2024. Photo: Elsa
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Kyrie Andrew Irving
  • Age: 32 (as of 2024)
  • Height: 1.88m
  • Current team: Dallas Mavericks

Irving won two gold medals with Team USA at the 2016 Rio Games and the 2014 World Cup in Spain. According to Sports Illustrated, the 32-year-old Mavericks great shot 50% from the field and 91% from beyond the arc, yet he still did not receive a call. His averages were 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, and five rebounds.

4. Cooper Flagg

Cooper Flagg
Cooper Flagg (L) participated in the 47th annual McDonald's All-American Games at Toyota Center on April 02, 2024, in Houston, Texas. Photo: Marcus Ingram
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Cooper Flagg
  • Age: 17 9as of 2024)
  • Height: 2.06m
  • Current team: Duke Blue Devils

Two years ago, Cooper Flagg was the best player in the United States of America's basketball league and may be preparing for a bright future. However, his dream of making it to the Paris 2024 Games at a young age has fallen through.

5. Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard of the LA Clippers brings the ball upcourt against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on March 31, 2024. Photo: Jacob Kupferman
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Kawhi Anthony Leonard
  • Age: 32 (as of 2024)
  • Height: 2.01m
  • Current team: LA Clippers

One accessible explanation for Team USA's decision to retain one roster space is that the top American player is experiencing health issues. Leonard stands head and shoulders above the rest of the remaining players in terms of pure talent.

With just James, Durant, and Tatum on the roster as true forwards, he also helps fill a need for Team USA. Even starting Game 1 of the first round for his Clippers is far from guaranteed.

6. Paul George

Paul George
Paul George of the LA Clippers shoots during the first quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 27, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Paul Clifton Anthony George
  • Age:34 (as of 2024)
  • Height: 2.03m
  • Current team: LA Clippers

Another notable omission is Paul George, among the game's better two-way wings. When healthy, his teammate Leonard is superior to him in every way. George missed out because of his worse statistical season than Tatum (26.9 PPG, 8.1 RPG), Edwards (25.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 5.1 APG), and Booker (27.1 PPG, 6.9 APG).

7. Herb Jones

Herbert Jones
Herbert Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on April 21, 2024. Photo: Cooper Neill
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Herbert Keyshawn Jones
  • Age: 25 (as of 2024)
  • Height: 2.01m
  • Current team: New Orleans Pelicans

Jones' defence at nearly every position might be a game-changer in some matchups. Thanks to his improved shooting, he will no longer be left alone.

Given his youth, fitness, and contract status, there is little reason to worry about how an Olympic race may affect his future. Even though he would be perfect as a substitute for an injured teammate at the Olympics, Team USA has decided not to consider him for the roster.

Frequently asked questions

Team USA will arguably have the 12 best NBA stars at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France. Here are the commonly asked questions about the individuals left out of the Men's basketball Olympic list.

Who is on the roster for the USA Basketball Olympics 2024?

The 12-man list of the USA men's national basketball team to play at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is out. They are:

  • Anthony Davis
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Bam Adebayo
  • Devin Booker
  • Jayson Tatum
  • Joel Embiid
  • Jrue Holiday
  • Kawhi Leonard
  • Kevin Durant
  • LeBron James
  • Stephen Curry
  • Tyrese Haliburton

Who is the coach of the USA Basketball team in 2024?

Stephen KerrWith Mark Few of Gonzaga University, Tyronn Lu of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat serving as assistants, Steve Kerr, a former University of Arizona All-American and current head coach of the Golden State Warriors, will spearhead the 2024 United States Men's National Team.

Did Joel Embiid deserve to play for Team USA?

Joel Embiid decided to play for Team USA in the Olympics last year after becoming an American citizen. Embiid was born in Cameroon and could have also decided to represent France at the 2024 Olympics.

Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers goes up for a basket against the New York Knicks on May 02, 2024. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu
Source: Getty Images

Is LeBron James playing in the 2024 Olympics?

LeBron James, the NBA's all-time top scorer, is part of the US men's basketball team heading to the Paris 2024 games. Other stars include Joel Embiid, the current MVP, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry.

Has Steph Curry played in the Olympics?

Stephen Curry has accomplished nearly everything as a basketball player but has never played in the Olympics. The 2024 edition will be his first and an opportunity to win the gold medal.

Final word

The 2024 USA Men's Olympic basketball team snub list has sparked debate among fans and analysts. Notable omissions include Jalen Brunson, who has shown strong leadership for the New York Knicks. These snubs have raised questions about the selection criteria and the future impact on the team's performance.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.