Breaking News: LeBron James, Stephen Curry unlikely to suit up at 2028 Olympics…see more

While two American legends said they are either out, or likely out, for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on Tuesday, USA Basketball named its roster of players that will begin the journey of defending the country’s gold medal from the Paris Games.

“I will be watching it from Cabo,” James said to Curry and to Steve Nash, James’ co-host on the podcast, with half-filled wine glasses on the table.

This bit of news, while noteworthy given their status as the two leading scorers for Team USA in 2024 and as two of the greatest players of all time, is not surprising. James would be 44 at the time of the Olympics, and may have already retired by the time the next summer games arrive.

Curry will be 38 in March and could also be out of basketball by 2028. On Tuesday afternoon, USA Basketball unveiled the 12 players who will represent the country in the first two games of the World Cup qualifying tournament on Nov. 28 and Dec. 1. The simplest path to reach the Olympics is through the FIBA World Cup, held in Qatar in 2027, which is why the Americans’ gold medal defense essentially starts now.

The roster, usually composed of G League players and Americans playing overseas for World Cup qualifiers, includes MarJon Beauchamp, Kessler Edwards, and Torrey Craig – all with recent and substantial NBA experience.

Stephen Silas, former coach for the Houston Rockets, will coach the American team.