Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is being recognized as a potential candidate for the USA Basketball team for the 2028 Olympic Games, according to early analysis from CBS Sports.
Under the guidance of Grant Hill, USA Basketball is preparing to select its 12-man roster for the tournament, which will take place in Los Angeles, California. There is strong anticipation that the team will include several players from the gold medal-winning squad of the previous year, alongside new faces to complement them.
Returning players likely to feature in 2028 include Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, and Jayson Tatum. This leaves five spots available, assuming these stars are willing to participate again. The selection process will undoubtedly be challenging for Hill and his coaching staff, given the wealth of talent available. Other prominent players who could fill these positions include Paolo Banchero, Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, Donovan Mitchell, and Jalen Williams.
On the radar are exciting talents such as Evan Mobley, Jaylen Brown, Cooper Flagg, Amen Thompson, and many others including Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and Zion Williamson. Names like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White are expected to be left out due to age-related considerations by 2028.
Notably, Flagg captured attention last summer when he scrimmaged with both the select team and the senior Olympic roster at just 17 years old. His impressive performance drew commendations from players like Kevin Durant and Chet Holmgren, positioning him as the first collegian to participate in such a manner since 2013. Flagg exhibited his skills in the scrimmage by hitting three-pointers and outmaneuvering elite defenders, showcasing his potential against a formidable roster that recently secured its fifth consecutive gold medal.
Grant Hill remarked last year that Flagg’s standout performance with the select team indicated a promising future, suggesting that with further growth and experience, he could indeed earn a spot on the Olympic roster.
While the next Olympic Games are still three years away, the landscape may continue to evolve, providing Flagg with the opportunity to solidify his position among the array of talent vying for a place on Team USA. The optimism surrounding Flagg’s future represents the continued evolution of American basketball, nurturing both seasoned and emerging athletes for global competition.