Rumors

Former French national team head coach Vincent Collet admitted he was pleased that NBA superstar Joel Embiid chose to represent Team USA instead of joining France for the 2024 Paris Olympics. "I was happy Embiid didn't come last year," Collet told BasketNews at the B8 Summit in Vilnius last week. "I think we don't need that," he added, referring to the naturalization of players on national teams.

BasketNews

In a follow-up conversation with BasketNews, Collet expanded on his stance. He revealed that he was powerless to oppose France's pursuit of naturalizing Embiid, especially with the decision coming from high-ranking officials. "I couldn't really do that because it was coming from even higher—like the Minister," Collet explained. "It was something big. The Olympic Games were in France, and they thought it was, for us, insurance to be better. But for me, it wasn't that clear," he said.

BasketNews

In a follow-up conversation with BasketNews, Collet expanded on his stance. He revealed that he was powerless to oppose France's pursuit of naturalizing Embiid, especially with the decision coming from high-ranking officials. "I couldn't really do that because it was coming from even higher—like the Minister," Collet explained. "It was something big. The Olympic Games were in France, and they thought it was, for us, insurance to be better. But for me, it wasn't that clear," he said.

BasketNews

According to an NBA source, Lillard would consider signing with the Celtics, and the Celtics are indeed interested. A few years ago, Lillard wasn’t so keen on coming to Boston when the Trail Blazers were considering trading him. This time, however, he’s open to Boston and he has a close friendship with Tatum, as they played together on the 2020 Team USA in Tokyo.

Boston Globe

“The Olympics now was the next level because now I’m playing Team USA, Serbia, Puerto Rico,” Maluach said. “We’re playing good teams that they have great players, Hall of Famers. Me being able to watch them, being able to step on the floor with them and see the gap I have and what I need to do to get where they are, showed me I’m on the right path. And me playing in the Olympics showed me that whatever I’m doing is right and I should keep on doing that.”

Andscape

Maluach said Booker was very complimentary and nice to him when he visited with him a couple times during the 2024 Paris Olympics. The South Sudan center also played against Booker and Team USA in an exhibition game in London and during the Olympics last year. “We had a dinner and I went to say what’s up to him because he had his own table. He said to, ‘Go do it,’ and then I shook his hand. He told me, ‘I’ll see you in a year.’ But when he said, ‘See you in a year,’ I know he meant the NBA. Now, I’ll see you with the Phoenix Suns. I will be his teammate.”

Andscape

The former Knick revealed the story of how he met Bryant on the Run Your Race Podcast. According to him, Bryant spoke to him in Italian after a Team USA practice during the summer of 2008. “I'm watching them practice and the trainer of the Knicks is with me and he was one of the trainers of the Team USA too,” Gallinari said about meeting Bryant. “And he's like listen, stay here a little bit more this practice because Kobe wants to meet you. I’m like really? So I stayed there, I waited, you know he's icing, stretching, you wait maybe an hour after practice. And then you know, not a lot of people in the states can say my name right and there I hear somebody say ‘Hey Danilo come here,’ In Italian ‘Danilo come here.’ Who’s speaking Italian in Vegas at Team USA practice. I look and it's Kobe. So he's walking with the ice on his knees and everything. I'm walking down the stairs and I'm there talking to Kobe. So that was amazing, he gave me shoes. I go back to my room and there is a letter that he wrote for me.”

Clutch Points

You won again in 2012 and took a break in 2016 and 2020 — both were still gold medal years for the U.S. You played again and won gold again in Paris (in 2024). Afterward, you said it doesn’t seem probable that you’d play in the 2028 Summer Olympics, which is in your adopted hometown of Los Angeles. Any update on that? LeBron James: Nothing has changed. Where we at, man, 2025 right now? (Laughs) Nah, nothing has changed. I mean, if I had to look at it right now through a microscope, I would say that, me being able to support Team USA for the rest of my life — that’s for sure. But me actually going on and playing, I don’t see it happening. I’ve given everything that I have, and I will always be appreciative and loyal and dedicated to Team USA and USA Basketball.

The Hollywood Reporter

LeBron James praised Tyrese Haliburton's character on Wednesday's episode of his "Mind the Game" podcast, explaining that he was a positive presence throughout Team USA's gold medal run in Paris. "Just a great person, man. A great kid," James said. "Didn't matter if he was playing or if he got the opportunity, he was the same guy every single day. You could see that his main frame was soaking in all the knowledge and the details being around all of us. He was just super appreciative every single day. Never changed his mood."

The Score

Is there a moment that sticks out that you think was your favorite or that you cherish the most? Sergio Rodriguez: Again, it’s tough to choose one, But probably, you know, being in the NBA, winning the three Euroleagues that I had won, playing for Real Madrid, playing for the National Team, Olympic Games of 2012, that we got the silver medal. So there are moments, winning the European Championship and the gold medal at the World Cup in 2006. So there are many moments. And when I see them and reflect on those moments, I feel very grateful.

HoopsHype

Michael Scotto: Sources: Hornets assistant Josh Longstaff is among the candidates for the Suns head coaching job. He was an assistant for Bulls coach Billy Donovan, former Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer, Team USA for Jeff Van Gundy, Erie BayHawks head coach, a Knicks assistant, and worked for OKC.

x.com

USA Basketball will announce a major shift in its structuring on Thursday when Sue Bird is announced as the managing director for the USA women’s national team for the 2028 Olympic cycle, according to two sources close to the program.

New York Times

"He impacted more people in our game than anybody," Krzyzewski said. "He's probably the most unique coach ever -- pro, amateur. He's as good as anybody, but I think you can't be like him. He did so many things that it's hard to believe one person could do all that." The two met in Las Vegas when Popovich was in town for Team USA's training camp. Krzyzewski knew the pressure of the position as Team USA's head coach. "Unless you're sitting in that seat, you don't know how it feels," he said. "Everyone is telling you it's going to be a sure thing and all that, and it's not a sure thing."

ESPN

Before moving to the NBA, Popovich spent 15 seasons in the collegiate ranks, working as an assistant coach on Hank Egan’s staff at the United States Air Force Academy, from 1973-79, before serving as the head coach for the Pomona-Pitzer Colleges from 1979-88. As the head coach of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team, Popovich led Team USA to the gold medal in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

NBA.com