Kevin Durant won four Olympic gold medals and is Team USA’s all-time leading scorer. The RocketsThe star will be almost 40 when the 2028 Olympics return, but despite his age and significant previous achievements, he is not yet ready to hang up the international towel.
It has recently doubled compared to the previous one statements on his desire to compete for his fifth gold medal if his play is still at the required level, writes Nick Friedel of The Athletic (subscriber link).
Of the hundreds of thousands of elite professional athletes who have competed in the Olympics, only 67 men have ever been five-time medalists. But beyond the prestige that such an achievement would bring, there is a simpler reason why he wants to be there in 2028.
“It’s just fun, man” Durant said at the end of last season.This is an incredible time. You can travel the world. I don’t know if we’ll be able to travel the world while in the States, but in the last few years we’ve been (to) Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Paris, London, the Canary Islands, Madrid… going to places that have changed not only my perspective on the game, but on life in general..”
In 2021, the then coach Gregg Popovich He had a simple expression to sum up Durant’s importance to the national team: “No Kevin, no gold,” he said. In 2024, Durant averaged 13.8 points in 22.2 minutes while shooting an absurd .540/.519/.938.
Durant has also become an outspoken advocate for players across the league to feel like they fit their country.
“Pain Pain there was a chance to play for South Sudan and I encouraged him to do so” Durant said.I think he might have been injured, but I think you should go to the Olympics. … To be able to play on that stage and see people’s pride in where they come from, I think every player should experience that.”