Bam Adebayo to make Team USA roster for 2024 Paris Olympics - Hot Hot Hoops

Nearly three months after making Team USA’s initial player pool ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Bam Adebayo is one of 11 players who are expected to make the team, ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski officially reported Monday.

Per Woj, outside of Adebayo, among those 11 are:

Devin Booker, Suns
Stephen Curry, Warriors
Anthony Davis, Lakers
Kevin Durant, Suns
Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
Joel Embiid, 76ers
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers
Jrue Holiday, Celtics
LeBron James, Lakers
Jayson Tatum, Celtics

ESPN Sources: USA Basketball is finalizing its 2024 Paris Olympics roster with Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid, Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Jrue Holiday, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis. Team may initially keep one open spot. pic.twitter.com/kO7TREBVDK

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2024

According to the AP’s Tim Reynolds, Adebayo committed to play for Team USA last fall, assuming he was healthy.

For those wondering about Bam Adebayo’s USA Basketball status, as we have previously reported, he’s committed to a spot on the 12-man roster. He will be on the Olympic team — assuming health, etc., etc. It’s that simple.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) October 5, 2023

Should the roster be finalized in the coming days or weeks, it will mark the second straight Olympics for Adebayo. In the 2020 Olympics, Adebayo was Team USA’s starting big, averaging 6.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks across 19.3 minutes, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor and went 6-of-10 from the free-throw line.

The only other true center on that roster was JaVale McGee, who appeared in four of the 10 games for 20 combined minutes. Now, that will no longer be the case–as he will be alongside reigning MVP Joel Embiid and Anthony Davis, who last appeared in 2012.

Adebayo, 26, is a four-time second-team All-Defense honoree and is one of the best defensive players in America. He will help Team USA’s defensive versatility schematically and allow Davis and Embiid to hover around the rim as a backline rim protector more often.

He’s averaging 19.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks this season, shooting 52.1 percent from the floor, 35.7 percent from 3-point range (15-42!) and 75.5 percent from the free-throw line. There’s ongoing discussion on whether Adebayo, a top-25 player leaguewide, will make the All-NBA third team for the first time in his career–thus also making him eligible to sign the supermax this offseason when he’s due to for an extension.

It’s also worth noting that Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler were also on Team USA’s player pool when it was originally released. Though it appears unlikely that either will get the call for the 12th-and-final spot, barring something unforeseen.