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

But before his return to the court, he had been training in the weight room with his son, Lakers guard Bronny James, sources told ESPN, their first extended offseason together after last summer's Paris Olympics. And while James has considered retirement every offseason since 2023, a source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN that at this point, James is not entering next season with any certainty that it will be his last.

ESPN

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

Stephen Curry, whose epic performance in the gold-medal game at the Paris Olympics last summer was a reminder that he was still truly great, had every reason to wonder if that would be the last meaningful game he might play in his career. “We’re still trying to do it,” Curry said. “So you can tell there’s such a care factor for every guy on this team that starts with me, Draymond, (Kevon) Looney, who has been here with us, and now obviously (with) Jimmy and his playoff experience. So I had to rely on that as long as this ride continues. You know you’re figuring out the chessboard in between the series, and sticking with it, and not letting go of the rope (while) being able to turn the page from one game to the next and meet the moment. It’s so much fun out here.

New York Times

Canada Basketball announced Thursday that Gordie Herbert has been named the next head coach of the Senior Men’s National Team. The Penticton, B.C., native will officially assume the role in the summer of 2026. Herbert joins the program with a winning track record and a reputation as one of international basketball’s most accomplished coaches. He guided Germany to a historic FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup title in 2023 and followed it up with a fourth-place finish at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “We are proud to announce Gordie as the next head coach of our Senior Men’s National Team,” said Rowan Barrett, General Manager and Executive Vice-President, Senior Men’s Program. “His championship pedigree, command of the FIBA game, and understanding of what it takes to compete for medals on the world stage make him the ideal leader for this next chapter of Canada Basketball.”

Canada Basketball

Cavaliers associate head coach Johnnie Bryant and Rockets assistant coach Royal Ivey are two more names to monitor, league sources say. Ivey began establishing himself as an NBA head coaching candidate by steering South Sudan's national team into last summer's Paris Olympics and presumably would have an even stronger connection to this job if the Suns decide not to trade Ivey's close friend and former college teammate Kevin Durant.

marcstein.substack.com

The game of basketball has taken King and White from Boulder, Colorado, to all over the world. White played for USA Basketball in the 2023 World Cup and on their gold medal winning team during the 2024 Paris Olympics. White and the Celtics also played preseason games against the Denver Nuggets at Abu Dhabi Games 2024. As for King, he had short stints with the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks and in the G League, but of late has played overseas. King currently is a guard for Egypt’s Al Ittihad who opened the 2025 BAL season with a 71-60 win over host FUS Rabat on April 5. “I haven’t talked to him about playing in Africa, but I definitely will,” White said about King. “But I just think it’s amazing that he continues to get better and continues to put so much work into the game. A lot of people that go overseas sometimes lose their love for the game. But I think he just fell more in love with the process and the things he needs to do to keep his body healthy. It’s great to see.”

Andscape

Duane Rankin: "We should send Steve Kerr a thank you note." Mike Budenholzer on running same play Kerr ran for Kevin Durant coaching Team USA in Paris Olympics. Booker got shot for winner Monday vs Bucks. "It may have been ran pre-Olympics, but it definitely was run in Paris this summer." pic.x.com/HaW2CYQLzW

Twitter

Alongside his Olympic commitment, Simmons strongly supported the national program’s new direction under head coach Adam Caporn. Basketball Australia announced Caporn’s appointment this week, naming the Washington Wizards assistant as the Boomers’ new leader following Brian Goorjian’s departure after the 2024 Paris Olympics. "I’ve known [Adam Caporn] for a while, I'm happy for him," Simmons said. "He's a great coach and a great person. I'm looking forward to talking to him and getting connected — continue to build our relationship going into the next Olympics."

Responsible Gaming

Jason Beede: Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters that #Magic forward Paolo Banchero “was right in the mix till the last second” to join Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics after the FIBA World Cup: “He’s such a talented guy and versatile,” Kerr said. “Great young guy.”

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Marc J Spears: Former USA Basketball coach Steve Kerr said he would be surprised if Magic forward Paolo Banchero wasn’t playing for @usabasketball during the 2028 LA Olympics and that he received strong consideration for the 2024 Paris Olympics squad.

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Dwyane Wade: He seemed like a shoo-in for NBC after serving as color analyst during the Paris Olympics. NBC exec Molly Solomon praised the rookie game analyst’s Olympic calls. But sources tell us D-Wade’s talking to multiple suitors, not just NBC.

Front Office Sports

Victor Wembanyama has already gone up against the U.S. in international events, most notably last year’s Paris Olympics when he led France’s march to the gold medal game against the Americans. He’d like to be in that position more often — maybe even annually. And Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo loves that idea as well. In the ongoing search for the right NBA All-Star format, there was plenty of talk this weekend in San Francisco about an idea that has picked up some momentum in recent years: The U.S. on one side, the world on the other side. Count Wembanyama — San Antonio’s 7-foot-4 All-Star center from France — as a fan of that notion. “I would love to. My opinion is that it’s more purposeful,” Wembanyama said. “There’s more pride in it. More stakes.”

Associated Press

Canada Basketball: Thank you Jordi, for helping our #SMNT reach new heights 👏 Bronze Medal at FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup 2023 ✅ First Men’s Olympic appearance for Canada since 2000 ✅ Fifth-place finish at Paris Olympics, best since 1984 ✅ Best wishes to you, and your family, in Brooklyn.

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