Kevin Durant, the Houston Rockets forward and four-time Olympic gold medalist, has publicly stated his intention to compete for a spot on the U.S. Men’s basketball team at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Durant, 37, told ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill, “Hell yeah, I want to play,” but emphasized his participation is contingent on maintaining a high level of performance. “I’ve got to stay on top of my game. I want to produce on the floor and make Grant [Hill] and whoever is making the decisions want to put me on the team. Not just for seniority; I want to still prove I can help the team win.”
Durant’s announcement challenges a narrative that the 2024 Paris Olympics would be a “last dance” for a generation of American basketball stars, including himself, LeBron James, and Stephen Curry. He refuted the idea that he had signaled his retirement from Olympic competition, stating, “You guys, the media, have projected that… I didn’t say I wasn’t playing.” James has already announced he will not participate in the 2028 Games, and Curry has indicated his decision remains open.
The U.S. Team’s recent success, culminating in a gold medal victory over France at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has been tempered by growing international competition. Durant expressed frustration with the narrative that the United States is losing its dominance in basketball, pointing to the fact that an American player hasn’t won the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award since James Harden in 2018. He cited the recent MVP awards given to Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as evidence of the rising talent pool outside of the U.S.
Despite his desire to compete, Durant acknowledged the increasing strength of international teams. The 2028 Olympics are expected to present a formidable challenge, with France, led by Victor Wembanyama, poised to be a strong contender. France currently boasts 16 players in the NBA, including Alex Sarr and Bilal Coulibaly, providing them with significant depth. Other nations, such as Serbia with Nikola Jokic, Greece with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Slovenia with Luka Doncic, are also expected to field highly competitive teams.
USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill has been informed of Durant’s intentions. While Durant’s experience and scoring ability would be a valuable asset, the team is also expected to feature a new generation of stars, including Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Cade Cunningham, Chet Holmgren, Donovan Mitchell, and Tyrese Maxey. Durant is currently averaging 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game for the Rockets, shooting 50.6% from the field.
