Kyrie Irving on Missing Team USA Roster for Paris 2024: Reflects on Growing Up in a Different Era
Reflecting on his omission from the USA Basketball roster for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Kyrie Irving shares insights on the changes in the selection process and his perspective on fitting into the team dynamics.
Kyrie Irving, the star player of the Dallas Mavericks, mentioned that he felt like he didn't belong in the 12-man basketball team chosen to play for Team USA in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Even though Irving had previously achieved success with USA Basketball by winning gold at the 2014 FIBA World Cup and the Rio 2016 Olympics, he expressed his wish to be included in the Olympic roster once again.
Irving was not chosen for the roster. Instead, selectors went with first-time Olympian Steph Curry, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Edwards, and Tyrese Haliburton for the guard positions.
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The USA is hoping to bounce back after a disappointing FIBA World Cup last year where they did not win a medal. Only Haliburton and Edwards are still part of the team from that tournament.
"I wish my teammates the best. I just didn't seem to click with this group," he mentioned to reporters following Mavericks practice on Thursday. "The decision-making was difficult. Nevertheless, I have great respect for my fellow players at USAB."
I believe it's time for me to prioritize winning a championship in my career and also showing support for my teammates during the summer.
Irving also recalled the previous selection process for the national team, where players would compete against each other in practices and scrimmages before the final roster decisions were made.
This year, USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill went the extra mile by traveling across the country to personally deliver the Team USA jerseys to each selected player.
Kyrie Irving reflected on his own experience growing up, where trying out for USAB meant meeting up with peers, earning mutual respect, and seeing how different players meshed well together.
I miss the days when we could all gather together, share a meal, and compete with each other. Even though everyone already knows who will be on the team, I enjoyed the process of deliberation at the end of the four- or five-day event. 
Irving won a gold medal with Team USA at Rio 2016.
Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images
I miss the fun times of getting together, but I hope my brothers do well.
The US team will start their training camp and play exhibition games in Las Vegas from July 5, before heading to Paris.
The Opening Ceremony for the 2024 Paris Olympics will take place on July 26 with men’s basketball play beginning the following day.
Editor's P/S:
Kyrie Irving's exclusion from Team USA for the upcoming Olympic Games is a significant loss for the team. Irving is one of the most talented players in the world, and his experience and leadership would have been invaluable. However, Irving's comments about the selection process suggest that he may not have been the best fit for this particular team. Irving's preference for a more traditional selection process, where players compete against each other in practices and scrimmages, may not have aligned with the team's goal of winning a gold medal.
Irving's decision to prioritize winning a championship with his own team is understandable, but it is still a disappointment for fans of Team USA. The team will need to find a way to replace Irving's production and leadership, and it will be interesting to see how they perform in the Olympics without him.
