Predicting the 2028 USA Olympic basketball roster: Top 12 players - ESPN

ESPN

by Zach Kram

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The United States men's basketball team is entering a period of significant change as it prepares for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. With key veterans like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant likely to step away from international competition, Team USA will need to rely on younger talent to maintain its dominance on the global stage. The departure of these stars creates an opportunity for rising players to make an impact, but it also means the team must adapt to a new era of international competition. Historically, Team USA has relied on a mix of experienced veterans and mid-career players, with an average age of 30 in recent rosters. However, the lack of younger players in past squads has raised concerns about sustainability. Since 1992, only six players under 27 have made the team, including Anthony Davis in 2012 and Cooper Flagg, a potential 2028 candidate. This scarcity of youth could limit Team USA's ability to rebuild and compete against countries like Serbia and France, which are fielding increasingly skilled younger players. The shift away from veteran-heavy rosters also highlights the challenges of balancing experience with fresh talent. While older players like Durant have expressed interest in continuing, their advanced age may impact their performance on the court. Meanwhile, international teams are closing the gap, as seen in close medal-round games against the U.S. in recent Olympics. This growing competition underscores the importance of identifying and developing young stars who can step into the spotlight. With key players like Zach LaVine and Jayson Tatum already contributing at a high level, Team USA has some promising

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/23/2026