Kevin Durant has expressed his strong desire to be considered for the U.S. men’s basketball team in the 2028 Olympics, even though he will be approaching 40 years old when the games begin.
The Rockets forward, who has represented Team USA in the last four Olympic cycles, told USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill that he would love to be part of the team again in 2028. Durant’s commitment to the team runs deep, as he emphasized his unmatched love for representing his country.
“I didn’t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before,” Durant said after scoring 18 points for Houston in a win over the Utah Jazz. “Grant understands my love for Team USA. That’s my family.”
Durant’s history with Team USA is impressive. He became the career scoring leader for USA men’s basketball in Olympic history and earned his fourth gold medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, a milestone that made him the first American player to win four Olympic golds in men’s basketball.
The challenges ahead
Despite his extensive Olympic success, Durant acknowledges that making the 2028 team will not be easy. He understands the depth of talent emerging among younger players and recognizes that, at nearly 40, he will have to work hard to secure his spot.
“I understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge in the next year and a half, and I’m also very old compared to a lot of these players,” Durant said, adding that he was prepared for the challenge.
Durant also made it clear that his motivation for wanting to go through another Olympic cycle is not about adding another gold medal to his collection. Instead, he expressed a deep sense of pride in representing the U.S., saying, “I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country.”
Durant’s current form
At 35 years old, Durant continues to perform at a high level in the NBA, averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.7% shooting in his 18th season. His ongoing success in the league reinforces his determination to make another Olympic run, where his leadership and scoring ability would be crucial for Team USA’s success.
While the road to the 2028 Olympics is still far off, Durant’s commitment to representing his country shows his unwavering dedication to the sport and to Team USA.
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