Despite being one of the most iconic players in basketball history, this will be the 36 year-old Curry’s first  Olympics. He capped off his 15th NBA season with averages of 26.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, while shooting 40.8% from 3-point range for the Golden State Warriors. Additionally, Curry is one of a handful of players that brings veteran leadership to the group, and some believe he could be the team’s figurehead. “I think Steph Curry’s going to take the lead this year. I think his 3-point shooting, his shot creation’s just going to be too much for the other teams to handle,” argued Venezie.

22 year-old shooting guard Anthony Edwards is the youngest member of the squad. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ cornerstone is coming off a career year, having averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Edwards is one of the league’s up-and-coming stars and is expected to help take the reins of Team USA after this summer. He was a part of the 2023 FIBA World Cup team, scoring a team-high 18.9 points per game and leading USA to the semifinals. “I think this is where Anthony Edwards starts his run. If he wants, he could end up passing everyone up and doing all that stuff because he’s a dog,” Koshar voiced. 

Another young premier American star, 5-time All-Star Jayson Tatum was practically guaranteed a spot on the roster. At age 23, Tatum was Team USA’s second leading scorer in the 2020 Summer Olympics at 15.2 points per game, while delivering 1.2 blocks on the defensive end. This past season, the Celtics forward delivered 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game and led his group to a league-best 64 wins. Tatum is able to do a little bit of everything, being one of the league’s finest isolation scorers while also being able to cut to the basket. He’s also a fantastic passer and is one of USA’s top outside defenders. Tatum is one of the youngest on the team, but has lots of familiarity with the Olympics atmosphere and will give Team USA a huge burst off the bench. 

Durant is undeniably Team USA’s greatest performer ever. He’s participated in the Summer Olympics three times, averaging a combined 19.9 points per game across all three. Durant’s 20.7 points per game in the 2020 Summer Olympics is the highest single-run average by a player in Team USA history. The Suns forward ended his 16th season with averages of 27.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game. He put on a shooting clinic, hitting 52.3% from the field, 41.3% from 3, and a tremendous 51.8% from mid-range. He’s on a mission to win his fourth consecutive gold medal to top off his decorated Olympic resume.

The last time we saw James in the Olympics was in 2012 when he helped grind out a win against Spain to clinch the gold in London. This July, we’ll see the 20-time All-Star appear in his fourth and likely last run. 39-year-old James gave the Los Angeles Lakers 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists each game, even shooting a career-high 41% from 3. As the oldest player in the NBA, James makes an outstanding mentor for the young guys like Edwards and Haliburton, and he’s an offensive machine that helps push USA to the top.

Team USA’s starting center spot belongs to none other than Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. The 2023 MVP committed to playing for USA after his home country Cameroon did not qualify for the Olympics. Embiid’s regular season featured monstrous averages of 34.7 points, 11 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game. Had he played more games, he would’ve ran away with his second MVP award. Embiid is undoubtedly the best scorer in the NBA, leading in points per game for three years straight, and his 5.6 assists per game and 38.8% on 3-pointers this past season were each career-highs. His presence can best be described as overwhelming, and he’s a matchup nightmare for anyone that clashes with Team USA this summer.