Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks was a notable snub from the 2024 USA Olympic Team, but expects to be a top player in the 2028 tournament.
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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 18: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks is guarded by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on March 18, 2024 in San Francisco, California.
Team USA took home the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, led byStephen Curry,Kevin Durant, andLeBron James. While the team featured some of the best American basketball players,Jalen Brunson of theNew York Knicks was a notable star whomissed the cut for the historic roster.
However,according to CBS Sports, Brunson is predicted to land a role on the team in 2028,assumed to takeCurry’s position as the starting point guard in the Los Angeles Olympics in three years.
“Brunson was “high on the list”of candidates for the 2024 Olympic team,according to Kerr, but was ultimately left off the roster,”Colin Ward-Henninger wrote. “That’s not going to happen in 2028, when he should easily slide into the vacancy left by Curry at the guard position.”
Curry,Derrick White, andTyrese Haliburton were the point guards on the 2024 edition of Team USA. While Brunson narrowly missed the cut, he expects to be one of the top players selected for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Brunson TakingCurry’s Spot
As mentioned, Brunson was left off the roster, but not because his skilldidn’t match up with the rest of the team.Last summer, he discussed his feelings about not making the team, referencing Isiah Thomasmissing the national team in 1992.
“I would have wanted to play,”Brunson said to Taylor Rooks. “(But) the 40 players, youcan’t go wrong with who you choose…If I get asked to play in the future,I’m not going to be like, ‘Nah, you guysdidn’t pick me (last time).”
While TeamUSA’s big threein Curry, Durant, and James expect to either be retired or at the extreme tail-ends of theircareer, Brunson is one of the players in the ‘next generation‘who will lead the team in 2028.
“Brunson has developed into one of the most prolific scoring guards in the world and, while he lacks size, his grittiness and intelligence should allow him to hold his own defensively on the international stage,”Ward-Henninger added. “He has yet to make an Olympic appearance, but Brunson won gold as a member of the U18 and U19 Team USA squads and was a key member of the 2023 World Cup team.”
In that 2023 World Cup team,Brunson ranked fourth in points and second in assists, while Team USA won each of its five games to take gold in the tournament.
In a potential 2028 lineup for the Olympics, Brunson expects to line up alongsideAnthony Edwards, Haliburton,Devin Booker,Cade Cunningham, andDonovan Mitchell as the other guards projected to be selected, according to the list by CBS Sports.
Ranked As One Of The Best In The East
While Brunson would be a part of the next generation of players taking over Team USA, he remains one of the top NBA players in the league today. He led the Knicks to theirfirst conference finals appearance since 2000, ranks seventh in total points since 2023, and won the 2024-25Clutch Player of the Year award.
In a recentlist on NBA.com ranking the top players in the Eastern Conference, Brunson was second, behind onlyGiannis Antetokounmpo on theMilwaukee Bucks. Shaun Powell gave high praise to the New York point guard, citing his quick rise as a number-one option after beginning his career as a second-round pick.
“Brunson went from a second-round pick and a backup point guard inDallas to a franchise player in just a few years.He’s tricky with the dribble, a solid mid-range shooter and of course a player who wants the last shot,”he wrote. “Where would the Knicks be without him?”
On anotherlist by HoopsHype, Brunson ranked as the third-best point guard in the league. InTheRinger’s Top 100 list, he ranked ninth overall in the NBA.
He’s quickly turned into one of themost-beloved players in Knicks history, and with continued success, Brunson will be a shoo-in to lead Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.