Team USA's men's basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics is beginning to take shape, and a member of the Chicago Bulls made the initial cut.
According to the list released by USA Basketball on Tuesday, Bulls guard Alex Caruso will be one of 41 players aiming to make the cut for the 12-man squad that'll represent the United States in Paris over the summer.
Caruso is having a strong season for the Bulls, averaging 9.9 points, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game for Chicago.
Caruso would give the Bulls representatives in three consecutive Olympics if he's selected, as guard Zach LaVine was on the U.S. squad that ultimately captured the gold medal with an 87-82 win over France in Tokyo.
Jimmy Butler, who is among the 41 finalists this year, represented the Bulls when he suited up for Team USA in the 2016 Olympics.
Here's a full look at the 41 finalists:
- Heat center Bam Adebayo
- Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen
- Magic forward Paolo Banchero
- Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane
- Raptors forward Scottie Barnes
- Suns guard Devin Booker
- Nets forward Mikal Bridges
- Celtics guard Jaylen Brown
- Knicks guard Jalen Brunson
- Heat forward Jimmy Butler
- Bulls guard Alex Caruso
- Warriors guard Stephen Curry
- Lakers center Anthony Davis
- Suns forward Kevin Durant
- Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards
- 76ers center Joel Embiid
- Kings guard De'Aaron Fox
- Clippers forward Paul George
- Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon
- Pacers guard Tyrese Hailburton
- Clippers guard James Harden
- Knicks forward Josh Hart
- Heat guard Tyler Herro
- Celtics guard Jrue Holiday
- Thunder center Chet Holmgren
- Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram
- Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving
- Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
- Lakers forward LeBron James
- Nets forward Cam Johnson
- Jazz center Walker Kessler
- Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard
- Bucks guard Damian Lillard
- Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell
- Warriors guard Chris Paul
- Bucks forward Bobby Portis
- Lakers guard Austin Reaves
- Heat guard Duncan Robinson
- Celtics forward Jayson Tatum
- Celtics guard Derrick White
- Hawks guard Trae Young
The player pool was selected by managing director Grant Hill and is subject to change, according to USA Basketball. The final roster will be announced at a later date.
“The United States boasts unbelievable basketball talent and I am thrilled that many of the game’s superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games,” Hill said in a statement. “It is a privilege to select the team that will help us toward the goal of once again standing atop the Olympic podium. This challenging process will unfold over the next several months as we eagerly anticipate the start of national team activity."
Hill, head coach Steve Kerr and the rest of USA Basketball staff will be tasked with putting together a team capable of extending the country's gold medal streak. Team USA has finished atop the podium at the last four Olympic Games.
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The Americans will hold a training camp in Las Vegas in the leadup to the Olympics. They are scheduled to play Canada in an exhibition at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 10. They have two other tune-up games in London scheduled for July 20 versus South Sudan and July 22 versus Germany.
The Paris Olympics will run from July 26 to Aug. 11.
