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Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon revealed that head coach Steve Kerr offered him a spot on the U.S. men’s basketball team in the Summer Olympics following a win over the Golden State Warriors during the 2023-24 season.
Aaron Gordon @Double0AG
After we beat the warriors in the bay Steve Kerr asked if I wanted to play on the USA team… idk bro. It’s a bit rhetorical but hey we got gold
The discussion might have occurred after Gordon dropped a season-high 30 points in a 130-127 win against the Warriors on Jan. 4.
The 29-year-old acknowledged that the question may have been rhetorical, as it would have been difficult to crack the star-studded lineup that won gold in the Paris Olympics. Still, he’s using it as motivation to compete for a role on the U.S. team during the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
Aaron Gordon @Double0AG
If you think I’m not working every damn day to play in 2028 and represent…I got goals! Don’t care if you wanna see me fail
Kerr also doesn’t have the final say in Olympic roster construction, as Team USA managing director Grant Hill selects the 12-player squad. However, Gordon is already on Hill’s radar.
The former No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft was one of the 41 finalists for the 2024 Olympic team.
There should be several spots on the United States’ roster up for grabs entering the 2028 Games, as aging superstars such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry likely won’t be returning.
While Gordon may not possess the scoring prowess that typically results in Olympic consideration, he could earn a spot due to his defensive acumen as well as his ability to remain effective without the ball in his hands.
In 73 starts during the 2023-24 season, Gordon averaged 13.9 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 55.6 percent from the field.
Team USA’s rosters have typically featured multiple elite role players, as Boston Celtics guard Derrick White earned a spot on the Paris Olympics roster. During the Tokyo Games, the United States squad contained veteran center JaVale McGee and defensive-minded forward Jerami Grant. Neither player has an All-Star appearance.
In fact, Grant served as the Nuggets’ power forward next to three-time MVP Nikola Jokić in the season prior to Gordon’s arrival.
Although he’ll be 32 years old by the time the Los Angeles Olympics start, Gordon could earn consideration for the international roster once again if he’s able to remain an important piece of a championship contender.
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Publish date : 2024-09-26 09:54:00
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