De’Aaron Fox among 41-player pool for the USA Olympic Basketball team

Jan 23, 2024, 1:57 PM

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 16: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings handles the ball during the first half of the NBA game at Footprint Center on January 16, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

BY FRANKIE CARTOSCELLI & JOSEPH JAROSZ

Sactown Sports

De’Aaron Fox is among the 41 players listed in the pool for selection to represent the US at the next Olympics.

According to a press release from USA Basketball, the 2024 USA Men’s National Team finalists include 28 players who have represented the USA in either the Olympics or the FIBA Men’s World Cup.

Joining Fox on the list are: Bam Adebayo, Jarrett Allen, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Trae Young.

USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill selected the players. The final 12-player roster will be announced at a later date.

The team will be led by Steve Kerr as its head coach, with Mark Few, Tyronn Lue and Erik Spoelstra serving as assistant coaches.

USA Basketball player pool of 41 finalists that will be used to select the 12-player roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris: pic.twitter.com/Bs1yqnQDQD

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 23, 2024

De’Aaron Fox and his history with USA Basketball

After being named to the USA Select Team in 2019, De’Aaron Fox was called up to the main roster as several players dropped out due to injury or personal reasons.

Fox withdrew from the team as USA prepared to open up its tune-up slate of games in Mumbai, India, citing that he was preparing for the upcoming season.

“That’s for me to know,” Fox told TMZ Sports when asked why he left the team in August 2019.

Upon his sudden departure from consideration for the 2019 FIBA World Cup roster, NBA insider Marc Stein reported that USA basketball officials were left “stunned” by Fox’s departure. Although Fox’s exit might have ruffled some feathers at the time, USA Basketball communications director Craig Miller told The Sacramento Bee that he understood Fox’s decision to withdraw.

“Given De’Aaron was added into consideration for the World Cup team after originally being part of the USA Select Team in Las Vegas, USA Basketball understands De’Aaron’s decision,” Miller said in 2019.

After finishing seventh in 2019 and fourth in 2023 in FIBA World Cup play, the USA needs to make a statement during the 2024 Olympics. Could Fox set aside his prior differences with USA Basketball and become the first Sacramento Kings player to bring home a Gold Medal since DeMarcus Cousins won the gold in 2016?

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

Sacramento will come face-to-face with its Northern California rival, the Golden State Warriors, for the fourth and final time this season when the two teams face off on Thursday night at Chase Center.

The Kings are still seeking their first regular season win on Golden State’s home floor since February 25, 2020, as they have lost their last seven matchups in San Francisco.

Sacramento secured a nail-biting win over the Warriors during their most recent matchup on November 28th thanks to Malik Monk’s game-winner.

Thursday’s game will act as the start of a season-long, seven-game road trip for the Kings, who won’t return home until February 7th.

Be sure to tune in right here on Sactown Sports 1140 for all of your Kings vs. Warriors coverage, beginning at 5:30 PM PST on Game Night before a 7:00 PM PST tip-off from San Francisco.