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Olympics Rumors
Kevin Durant nearing return for Team USA debut this summer
Rich Kleiman, Kevin Durant’s agent, told ESPN that Durant has been working tirelessly to return to play and he could’ve played during Team USA’s games in London. After holding Durant out of Monday’s game against Germany, Kerr said Durant was “day-to-day” and that the plan was for him to have “a couple practices in a row and a scrimmage” before he’d be available.
Team USA is planning to have a contact practice Thursday in Paris where Durant can hopefully take the next step in his return. He suffered the calf strain a month ago. “The plan is for him to get in the scrimmage and see how he handles that,” Kerr said. “He looked good today and he did everything and got a lot of shots up and told me he’s feeling pretty good.”
France struggled during the preparation period, but despite that, led by Victor Wembanyama and playing at home, the Blues are one of the favorites for a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The NBA Rookie of the Year and San Antonio Spurs star is set to play in his first major tournament for his national team, and it happens to be the Olympics at home. “It is still a dream to be able to be at the Olympic Games. I see it almost like any other sporting experience, but even more demanding. Mentally, the emotion is tremendous. It’s hard to realize that it’s really the Olympics. Of course, it’s different from when I used to watch them on TV. It’s still a dream,” Wembanyama said during the pre-Olympic press conference.
He’s looking forward to the unique experience that the Olympics provide, despite the fact that he will be in Lille for the group phase of the tournament during the opening ceremony. “Above all, we young people would have liked to see what the real Olympic experience is like, to be able to be in the Olympic Village and take part in the opening ceremony, and all those things. But it’s best to stay in Lille that day because some of the conditions here are optimal for our performance, even if we wonder what it would have been like if we were in Paris.”
Despite losing four straight games ahead of the Olympic tournament, Wemby believes the French team is on the right track. “We are on the right track because the energy of our entire group, players and coaching staff, is incredible.”
ClutchPoints: Which Canadian is most likely to get a tech at the Olympics? 🤣 SGA: “Dillon Brooks.” Jamal Murray: “Dillon Brooks, he can’t wait to get a technical.” Andrew Nembhard: “He’s got a problem.” DB: “Me. I’ve gotten like 4 already in FIBA.” (via @cbcsports)pic.twitter.com/cV2MsCN55z
Thon Maker: #Paris2024 #Olympics pic.twitter.com/YR1Gvgu4Up
Ben Golliver. Victor Wembanyama covers Le Centre Pompidou in Paris
Dennis Schroeder announced as Germany's flag bearer at the 2024 Olympics
Dennis Schroder, captain of the German national basketball team, has been announced as the flag bearer for Germany at the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony on Friday. He will be joined by Anna-Maria Wagner, a German judoka. Schroder, who earned the title of FIBA World Cup 2023 MVP and won a gold medal, is only the second German flag bearer without previous Olympic experience, following NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki.
