Paris Olympics: Team USA Rule Forces Stephen Curry to Ditch Jersey No.30 for Gold Medal Quest

As the 2024 Olympics draw closer, Team USA seems to be gearing up for Paris. The star-studded roster was confirmed on Wednesday adorning names like Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and 9 others. To celebrate the announcement, each player was presented with their very own jersey with their new jersey numbers.

The moment was shared on Team USA’s Instagram account, showcasing the stars with the memento, abandoning their old number for the new ones.  But why did the players give up their usual jersey numbers for Team USA?

Lucky number 30

Among the rest, Stephen Curry was compelled to give up his renowned jersey number 30 for the number 4 in Team USA’s 5-straight gold medal pursuit. The decision falls in line with an old rule set forth by the FIBA, the International Basketball Federation, which used to mandate players to wear numbers between 4 and 15 during not just the Olympic competition but also other events organized by the committee. These limitations were put in place because there were only certain numbers that the referees could sign using their hands while the game was in play. With the advent of technological advancements, these rules were rendered unimportant.

Even though these rules have been relaxed now and players are allowed to wear numbers anywhere from 1-99, including 0 and 100, Team USA has decided to stick with the tradition. FIBA initially changed the rules in 2014 for certain competitions, like the Olympics, the World Cup and the Women’s World Championship but they decided to extend it to other events in 2018.

In a 2015 interview with the FIBA, USA Basketball spokesperson Craig Miller said, “We like the idea of there being a legacy with the number. The 4-15 is tradition and we can track who’s worn them. A lot of famous players who have gone on to great careers started by wearing a number five or a 12 for example. It’s part of what we try to teach our guys – who came before them and the tradition they have to carry on.” The players certainly don’t seem to mind.

Stephen Curry giddy after receiving jersey

In a recent interview with NBC Sports, USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill spoke about Curry’s reaction to receiving his new jersey. “Stephen Curry has done everything in the game… and the one thing he hasn’t done is played in the Olympics and win an Olympic gold medal,” Hill said. “So we had a ceremony last Friday after one of [the Warriors’] home games, and his coach, Steve Kerr, who’s the coach of [Team USA], along with Chris Mullin — former Golden State Warrior, Hall of Famer and two-time Olympian gold medalist — they presented him with this jersey, and I was on FaceTime…I was excited to see Stephen Curry’s excitement. And he was almost giddy. I mean, just like a kid, just so grateful.”

In a video posted by Team USA, one can see this very excitement that Hill talks about. The Warriors star looks completely ecstatic after seeing his jersey.

This will be Curry’s first time playing for Team USA at the Olympics after missing 2 previous opportunities due to injuries and personal reason. The Warriors’ Instagram account posted a rather special throwback to the team’s win in the 2022 NBA Finals, where Curry confessed his wishes to play for “Coach Kerr in ’24.” In the video, he went on to say, “I gotta go get an Olympic medal. Save me a spot bruh.”

Cut to 2024, the player has indeed secured himself a spot in Team USA, alongside the best names in American basketball. As the date draws near, anticipation continues to mount for basketball enthusiasts worldwide, eager to witness Curry and other members’ quest for Olympic glory as the United States aims to reaffirm its reigning dominance on the international stage.