Paris Olympics 2024: Team USA Rumored To Include 33YO Star Alongside LeBron James, Kevin Durant & Co

Jrue Holiday could potentially spend his summer in France. A few months ago, ESPN reported that USA Basketball was “aggressively pursuing” the Boston Celtics‘ star guard. According to Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic, it is “believed” that Holiday has delivered his commitment to USAB officials in recent weeks. The Celtics’ guard is expected to be part of Team USA’s 12-man roster that will seek redemption for this year’s FIBA World Cup loss.

Reportedly, the 33-year-old was selected because of his “two-way ability, point-of-attack defense, and dynamic playmaking.” After Team USA’s young roster struggled defensively last summer at the World Cup, Holiday could easily fill those holes with his on-ball defense, playmaking, and leadership. If he does participate, this will be his second Olympic appearance, following his gold medal run in Tokyo in 2021.

The 33-year-old showcased his prowess by averaging 11.8 points per game, placing third on the team, just behind Kevin Durant and Jayson Tatum. Impressively, he also led the team in assists (3.8) and steals (1.7) per game. His standout performance included a stellar defensive run, where he effectively shut down opposing guards in the final three rounds of the tournament, ultimately leading the Americans to the championship. As per ESPN’s report, the officials considered him the second-most-impactful player, after Kevin Durant, on the 2021 gold medal-winning team.

According to managing director Grant Hill and coach Steve Kerr, Holiday’s talent and temperament were exactly the qualities that they needed to build a gold medal roster. Therefore, he could potentially join the likes of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and others from the 41-player pool who have expressed interest in representing the USA this upcoming summer.

Several other Celtics members, including Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White are in the player pool for Team USA for the 2024 Olympics which will ultimately be trimmed down to 12 players ahead of the team’s training camp later this summer. But before that, they have their sights set on bringing a championship to Boston in June.

Can the Boston Celtics win a title this year?

After nearly missing out on their 18th title in the last two seasons, the Celtics went all out in the offseason to beef up their roster. They added big man Kristaps Porzingis to join forces with Tatum and Jaylen Brown, completing their Big 3. Next, after parting ways with Marcus Smart, they hit the jackpot, landing Jrue Holiday from the Milwaukee Bucks.

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The team’s performance has been exceptional across all boards. They lead the league in offensive efficiency and rank third in defensive efficiency. The Cs are shooting proficiently from all areas of the court, ranking in the top five in both three-point and two-point shooting percentages. The roster features numerous point-of-attack defenders and players skilled at creating opportunities off the dribble.

The Celtics boast an NBA-best 46-12 record and are currently on a nine-game winning streak. The only thing that could potentially hamper their chances is injuries to key players. Do you think the Celtics can lift their 18th trophy this season? Let us know in the comments!

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