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Pau Gasol: “I think winning a championship... there are so many factors that have to come together. And there are a lot of all-time greats that haven’t won a championship. I don’t think that should define you. It’s about everything you’ve given, how you’ve performed, and what you’ve contributed to the game. Melo is one of those players who has done so much—not just on the basketball court, but off it as well. I think he’s left a really good legacy as a basketball player. His involvement post-career with the game... to me, his commitment to USA Basketball is something I really value. The way he performed, and how he came through in all those championship runs for his team and his country—that, to me, is just as important, or maybe even more important, than winning an NBA title.
Ergin Ataman: USA couldn't even medal last World Cup when they didn't bring their top-tier stars
Ergin Ataman: In the NBA, even if a star player is having a terrible night, his minutes are guaranteed—he’ll play 40 minutes, because the fans come to watch his show, not necessarily to see the team win. In Europe, fans come to see victories. That’s why in the EuroLeague, whoever is performing stays on the floor. From the first game of the season to the Final Four, every game is played with the same intensity, with strong defenses, tactical preparation, and heavy crowd pressure. So, if you take those star players out, I believe the top 10 EuroLeague teams—with their toughness and organization—could disrupt NBA teams. I’ve been saying this for years. Some ask, “Why take out the stars?” Well, because those stars are exceptional. But look at the evidence: in the last World Cup, the USA didn’t bring their top-tier stars and couldn’t even win a medal. Of course, Serbia had Jokic and Bogdanović, France had Wembanyama. But the last World Cup was very telling for me. Without their top stars, NBA teams struggle. Meanwhile, EuroLeague basketball—with its toughness and fight—feels much stronger compared to the NBA regular season.
Where do you rank Melo’s role with USA Basketball in relation to the role that all the other great players and you and your staff played with the program’s success? Boeheim: “He was such a good scorer that if he started or came off the bench, it didn’t matter. He came off the bench and made 10 or 11 threes in one game. He’s a great international player. Kevin Durant and Carmelo are two of the best international players because they are big and they can shoot the 3. Those guys are hard to defend. That’s why they are two of the leading scorers in Olympic basketball history. They could make 3s and get to the basket and do stuff there.
Tim Reynolds: USA Basketball roster for the FIBA Men’s AmeriCup, which will take place later this month in Nicaragua. Zach Auguste, Robert Baker II, Tyler Cavanaugh, Jack Cooley, Jarell Eddie, Langston Galloway, Jerian Grant, Elijah Pemberton, Jahmi’us Ramsey, Cam Reynolds, Javonte Smart, Speedy Smith
Duane Rankin: Former Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo ('04) one of six presenters for 2008 USA Men's National Team into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for 2025 Class. Jim Boeheim (‘05), Chris Bosh (‘21), Jason Kidd (‘18), Mike Krzyzewski (‘01) and Dwyane Wade (‘23) remaining five presenters. Team USA won 2008 Olympic gold in China. Colangelo was managing director for USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team program. Team USA won four consecutive Olympic gold medals during Colangelo's run as managing director. #Suns
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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.”
LeBron James insists he's not playing at 2028 Olympics
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.
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.
Fredette has been announced as the new Managing Director of 3x3 basketball for Team USA. "When USA Basketball approached me about this role, I jumped at it," Fredette started. "I’m determined to help build a sustainable program for years to come and, ultimately, the best 3x3 program in the world."
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With each step USA Basketball’s Nate Ament takes in his player edition Reeboks during the Hoop Summit, he will be giving respect to his mother by showcasing the colors of the Rwandan flag — light blue, yellow and green with a golden sun. “It’s really special for me to be able to do that,” Ament told Andscape. “And it’s a huge tribute to my mom with her hard work and dedication she’s put in and all her hardship that’s comes from Rwanda. It’s a tribute to the country as well. I’m trying to pay back to the country what it’s given to me, the perspective of love that I’ve felt from the country and all the support I’m receiving from them. “But also, it’s just a really cool design. An idea with the colors of the Rwandan flag really fit perfectly with the shoe.”
Amen is the top-ranked uncommitted boys basketball player in the ESPN 100 Class of 2025. The 6-foot-9 Colgan High (Va.) forward is playing with the country’s top high school senior boys basketball players with Team USA against the top international teens in the Hoop Summit. Ament is still undecided on where he will be playing in college next season but could decide soon. Ament is considering offers from Duke, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisville and Tennessee. “Obviously, I’m trying to be respectful of the coaches and their time and effort they are putting into recruiting me,” Ament said. “But I’m really just trying to take time to not rush a decision, to make the right decision. I’m putting in as much time and energy and focus into the right school and making sure that whatever choice I pick, I have no doubts or no second thoughts.”
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