LeBron, Curry, Embiid headline U.S. player pool for Olympics - ESPN

Looking to win a fifth consecutive Olympic gold in Paris this summer, against maybe the best international competition ever assembled, USA Basketball is hoping to lean on veterans and an important newly naturalized American.

LeBron James, who hasn't played in the Olympics since 2012; Stephen Curry, who has never played in the Olympics; and Joel Embiid, who is from Cameroon but became a U.S. citizen in 2022, have all put their names up for consideration.

They were some of the biggest names announced Tuesday as part of a 41-player pool in the first step toward deciding the 12-man team.

The roster could be set as early as May. The Olympics start July 27. Health at the conclusion of the playoffs will obviously play a large role for many players.

Team USA finished out of the medals with a young team at the World Cup last summer. In the wake of that result, USA Basketball executive director Grant Hill, coach Steve Kerr and general manager Sean Ford have spent the past few months lobbying older players to join the roster.

Kevin Durant, who has won three golds with Team USA, is among the players on the initial list. As is Jimmy Butler, who last played in Rio in 2016. So are Paul George and Kyrie Irving, other Team USA veterans in their 30s.

The list isn't binding; players could be added to be considered or could be removed over the next several months. But it's a window into the team's philosophy as the U.S. approaches an expected huge challenge.

In a surprise, Draymond Green was not on the list. Green won gold in 2021 in Tokyo and was expected to be a player Kerr, his longtime coach with the Golden State Warriors, would strongly consider for the roster. Green has been suspended twice this season for on-court actions.

The Paris