Milwaukee Bucks news: After this summer’s shenanigans at the FIBA World Cup in the Philippines, there’s a lot of attention on Team USA and its quest to redeem itself in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics. More than a few stars have already indicated their desire to take part in the redemption run, which apparently, also includes two Bucks players.
Team USA Fail Miserably in FIBA World Cup
Milwaukee big man Bobby Portis was part of this summer’s failed iteration of Team USA, but he barely made an impact on the squad’s success — or rather, the lack thereof.
After winning their first three games in the initial round, it all came crashing down for the Americans starting with their shock loss to Lithuania in the final group stage game. Team USA convincingly beat Italy in the quarter-finals, but were stunningly eliminated by eventual champs Germany in the semis, 113-111. To make matters worse, the Americans had to settle for fourth place after suffering another loss to Canada in the battle for third.
Needless to say, it was a miserable tournament for Team USA, who were heavily expected to come home with the gold medal.
Milwaukee Bucks Stars Want In on Redeem Team
Portis likely won’t be in the squad for the upcoming Olympics next summer, but at least two of his Bucks teammates have already registered their interest in representing the nation in the prestigious international tournament.
Khris Middleton, who was part of the same squad that bagged the gold medal in the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, reportedly wants to have another run with the national team. The two-time All-Star played in all six of Team USA’s games in the last Olympic tournament, averaging 5.8 points in 15.7 minutes per contest.
Likewise, Brook Lopez also wants in on the action. The veteran big man was a member of the 2019 World Cup squad that finished seventh in what was one of the most disappointing campaigns of Team USA. Lopez has a lot to prove for the national team as well, and he’s hoping to get his chance next summer.
According to NBACentral on Twitter, the likes of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Zion Williamson, among others, have also indicated their willingness to play in the upcoming Olympics:
The players who expressed interest today in playing for Team USA next summer in the Olympics are:
Kevin Durant
Bam Adebayo
DeMar DeRozan
Devin Booker
Bradley Beal
Jaylen Brown
Donovan Mitchell
Khris Middleton
Julius Randle
Zach LaVine
Aaron Gordon
Fred VanVleet
Brook Lopez…— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 2, 2023
Stephen Curry has reportedly already confirmed his participation, while LeBron James has also hinted at his desire to have one final run with the national team.
What you can say for sure is that there’s not going to be any shortage of superstar power for Team USA next summer.
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