Team USA Basketball had a rough go of it this year, fizzling out of the FIBA World Cup and placing seventh. But the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo are a different ballgame with another gold medal on the line. So far, there will be one very familiar face on the roster in Stephen Curry.
In an interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, Curry says he will play for Team USA in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. “That is the plan, for sure,” Curry said in the interview. “You know, obviously knock on wood, you don’t want any injuries or things like that to interfere.” Team USA dealt with that a lot for the World Cup, as Kyle Kuzma exited with an injury and numerous players opted to skip the tournament.
“Definitely wanna go,” Curry continued to Nichols. “I’ve never been on the Olympic team. I’ve been on two World Cup championship gold-medal teams. But the Olympics is the experience that I want. And next year will hopefully be it.”
The world watched as the United States patched together a World Cup team headlined by Kemba Walker, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown – all Boston Celtics players. Their seventh-place finish is Team USA’s worst ever, a stinging accolade that shows how much more the NBA season matters – and is more lucrative – than international play. But Curry hopes to put lead the way in recruiting the very best for the olympic team and bring home the gold for the fourth-straight Olympics.
“We’re still the best,” Curry continued. “If we get the guys that are supposed to be there, in terms of, you know, representing us in the Olympic stage and the commitment’s been there, and I think it’ll be there next year.”
While it is still a year away from action, Stephen Curry already appears to have another star point guard ready to join him. Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard tells news.com.au that he “plans on being there” for Team USA next summer. Both Lillard and Curry would be more star power than Team USA showcased this summer, so it is a terrific start. While some of the older stars like LeBron James may not be able to join, there should be myriad of options to fill out the roster.
