HOUSTON (AP) 鈥� Rockets forward Kevin Durant will be less than two months shy of his 40th birthday when the begin, but he said Monday night he told USA Basketball Managing Director he鈥檇 like to be considered for the U.S. men鈥檚 team when the time comes.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I鈥檓 older and I did it before,鈥� Durant said after scoring 18 points for Houston in over the Utah Jazz. 鈥淕rant understands my love for Team USA. That鈥檚 my family. The level of love I have for Team USA and the whole organization over there is unmatched, so I鈥檇 love to be part of it until I鈥檓 done playing.鈥�
Durant has played in the last four Olympics, becoming USA men鈥檚 basketball鈥檚 career scoring leader in the process, but he says he doesn鈥檛 want to just be handed a spot on the 2028 team. He wants to earn it.
鈥淚 understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge the next year and a half, and I鈥檓 also very old compared to a lot of these players,鈥� Durant said. 鈥淚 know I’ve got my work cut out for me to make that team.鈥�
During the 2024 Paris games, Durant became the first American player to win four Olympic gold medals in men鈥檚 basketball. United States stars Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird won five gold medals in women鈥檚 basketball, but Durant says joining that club is not his motivation for wanting to go through another Olympic cycle.
鈥淚 just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country. That鈥檚 the first and most important thing 鈥� it鈥檚 putting that USA across my chest and representing where I come from,鈥� he said.
Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.7% shooting in his 18th NBA season.
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