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After Team USA’s disappointing finish in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in Shanghai, Jerry Colangelo and Gregg Popovich are moving on to USA Basketball’s roster for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The organization on Monday morning announced the 44 finalists for the 2020 Olympics, which will be in Tokyo, and Devin Booker was among the dozens on the initial list.
After playing as a member of the Select Team prior to the 2016 Rio Olympics, Booker now has the chance to compete for a spot on the final roster this summer.
The other finalists include, from the East: Bam Adebayo, Bradley Beal, Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, Jimmy Butler, Andre Drummond, Kevin Durant, Joe Harris, Tobias Harris, Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, Kyle Lowry, Khris Middleton, Victor Oladipo, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Myles Turner and Kemba Walker.
From the West: Booker, LaMarcus Aldridge, Harrison Barnes, Mike Conley, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, DeMar DeRozan, Paul George, Draymond Green, James Harden, Montrezl Harrell, Dwight Howard, Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, JaVale McGee, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul, Mason Plumlee, Klay Thompson, Russell Westbrook and Derrick White.
Only 12 players will make the final cut, meaning Booker could be relying upon others to drop out in order for him to have a chance to make it in. A quick look shows that several players during with injuries — such as Oladipo, Leonard, Thompson and Durant — might opt out, but that still leaves Booker with an uphill climb to become one of the 12 finalists.
Just about every young player who has participated in Team USA action comes away from the experience changed. Even going to the minicamp with the rest of these superstars is likely to be an incredible experience for Booker, and if he ends up on the Olympic roster, the ability to soak in knowledge and habits from Hall of Fame-caliber player rather than leading a young roster could be huge for Booker.