Rockets ahead Kevin Durant might be lower than two months shy of his fortieth birthday when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics start, however he stated Monday evening he informed USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill he’d prefer to be thought of for the U.S. males’s staff when the time comes.
“I didn’t wish to simply take my title out of consideration simply due to the easy undeniable fact that I’m older and I did it earlier than,” Durant stated after scoring 18 factors for Houston in a 125-105 win over the Utah Jazz.
“Grant understands my love for Staff USA. That’s my household. The extent of affection I’ve for Staff USA and the entire group over there may be unmatched, so I’d like to be a part of it till I’m completed enjoying.”
Durant has performed within the final 4 Olympics, turning into USA males’s basketball’s profession scoring chief within the course of, however he says he doesn’t wish to simply be handed a spot on the 2028 staff. He needs to earn it.
ALSO READ: Kevin Durant shines in Rockets’ win, Wembanyama helps Spurs beat Pistons
“I perceive how powerful that call is for Grant, and what number of nice gamers are going to emerge the following 12 months and a half, and I’m additionally very previous in comparison with a number of these gamers,” Durant stated. “I do know I’ve obtained my work lower out for me to make that staff.”
Throughout the 2024 Paris video games, Durant turned the primary American participant to win 4 Olympic gold medals in males’s basketball. United States stars Diana Taurasi and Sue Hen gained 5 gold medals in ladies’s basketball, however Durant says becoming a member of that membership isn’t his motivation for desirous to undergo one other Olympic cycle.
“I simply love enjoying for Staff USA. I really like representing my nation. That’s the primary and most essential factor — it’s placing that USA throughout my chest and representing the place I come from,” he stated.
Durant is averaging 25.9 factors per sport on 50.7% capturing in his 18th NBA season.
Revealed on Feb 24, 2026