Team USA has taken home the gold at mens 5×5 Basketball event four the past 4 years straight, also taking 7 of of 8 since the 1992 dream team took the world by storm and literally made the game international.
One could argue this years roster is as deep and as strong as any prior rivaling that 1992 team as well as the 2008 Redeem team. The only finish lower than gold in the modern era was the 2004 team taking the bronze, which led to the recruitment of Kobe Bryant and a sea change in the culture and seriousness surrounding the event.
Now a team led by established veteran superstars like LeBron James and Steph Curry will take on 11 other teams from around the world led by current superstars like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
Who stands in the Team USA’s way? There are a number of possible contenders.
Canada’s roster features rising star and MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as well as NBA Champion Jamal Murray in their back court. Canada’s path to the gold medal game won’t be easy but the roster has had a lot of time together and poses a real threat.
Serbia is led by the aforementioned Nikola Jokic, perhaps the most dazzling star in the sport today. Jokic puts up unreal numbers, featuring a unique skill set of incredible passing, size, and shooting. There has never been a player quite like him and he’s a threat to win any time he steps foot on the court.
The dark horse is France with rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama teaming up with Defensive Player of the Year winner Rudy Gobert to form a massive front court. Wemby is one of the few people on earth who makes Gobert look small, and together they should lock down the paint entirely.
LeBron and Team USA take the court against Jokic and Serbia on Sunday at 11:15am ET.
