Kevin Durant, currently a forward for the Houston Rockets, has expressed his desire to compete for a spot on the U.S. Men’s basketball team at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, despite approaching his 40th birthday shortly after the Games begin.
Durant revealed his intentions after Monday night’s 125-105 victory over the Utah Jazz, stating he had already communicated his interest to USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill. “I didn’t want to just grab my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before,” Durant said, according to the Associated Press. He emphasized his deep connection to the program, describing it as “my family,” and stating his “love for Team USA and the whole organization over there is unmatched.”
While Durant has participated in the last four Olympic Games, becoming the all-time leading scorer for USA men’s basketball, he stressed that he does not expect a guaranteed position on the 2028 roster. “I want to earn it,” he said. He acknowledged the emergence of new talent and his relative age compared to potential teammates, stating, “I know I’ve got my work cut out for me to make that team.”
Durant’s Olympic record includes four gold medals, a feat surpassed only by Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird, who have five each in women’s basketball. Though, Durant indicated that matching their achievement is not his primary motivation. “I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country,” he stated.
The potential for Durant’s participation comes as other established stars consider their Olympic futures. LeBron James, who will be 43 during the Los Angeles Games, has suggested he will not play, while Stephen Curry’s participation remains uncertain. Durant’s commitment, however, adds a layer of intrigue to the anticipated roster, which is expected to include players such as Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Cade Cunningham, Chet Holmgren, Donovan Mitchell, and Tyrese Maxey.
The 2028 Olympics are expected to present a significant challenge for the U.S. Men’s team, facing increasingly competitive international squads. France, led by the emerging star Victor Wembanyama, is anticipated to be a strong contender, boasting a roster with 16 current NBA players. Other nations, including Serbia with Nikola Jokic, Greece with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Slovenia with Luka Dončić, are also expected to field highly competitive teams. Durant acknowledged the rising level of competition, stating he would need to “stay on top of my game” to secure a place on the team and contribute to a potential victory.