Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will be the new head coach of USA Senior Men’s Basketball, replacing Steve Kerr. ESPN’s Shams Charania was the first to report.
Spoelstra was lead assistant coach when Team USA won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. He will be in charge of the 2027 FIBA World Championship and the 2028 Olympics.
Team USA Managing Director Grant Hill has had a consistent succession plan since taking over the role. Kerr previously served as Gregg Popovich’s lead assistant, and now Spoelstra takes over the lead role after working under Kerr. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see who becomes Spoelstra’s lead assistant.
Spoelstra is considered one of the best coaches in the NBA, having won two championships and led the Heat to five Finals appearances.
He is currently leading the Heat back to relevance in the post-Jimmy Butler era.
Will Spoelstra lead the completely new US?
The 2024 U.S. Olympic run was historic as LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant all teamed up for the gold.
However, it is highly likely that none will be available for the 2028 run. James will be 43, Durant almost 40 and Curry suggested Paris would be his only Olympic appearance.
Joel Embiid played in 2024, but his knee injury makes it highly unlikely he will pursue that opportunity again. Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis are a few of the others likely to be out of the mix.
If that’s the case, Team USA will likely be led by the likes of Anthony Edwards, Cooper Flagg and Jalen Brunson.
Jayson Tatum’s status with the national team may be something to keep an eye on after barely seeing any playing time during the previous Olympic run. Spoelstra was a member of the coaching staff involved in the decision not to play him.
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