Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has been named the new chief of the USA Basketball Team set to compete in the 2028 Olympics which will take place in American soil. He replaces Golden State Warriors dynasty architect Steve Kerr who helped Team USA win two titles in the quadrennial sports event.
“Absolutely, absolutely humbled. I mean, it is the honor of a lifetime,” Spoelstra said about his new assignment in an interview with Associated Press.
“And I’m just really appreciative of it and being a part of the USA Basketball program. The Olympics are incredible, no matter where it is, but to have the opportunity to compete on your own soil, that’s simply remarkable.”
Spoelstra’s selection was decided by Team USA managing director Grant Hill. The former Detroit Pistons star said Spoelstra was selected because of his association with the team in the last decade. He was part of the team that competed in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.
“Spo is not only an outstanding coach, but a great colleague, friend and father, all of which make him the perfect choice to continue the USA Basketball men’s national team coaching legacy through 2028,” he said.
Steve Kerr knows Erik Spoelstra is next
Kerr and Spoelstra have seen each other from the opposite sides of the floor a lot of times but in Team USA, they were on the same side.
Spoelstra has shown his pedigree as a coach when he coached the Miami Heat to back to back titles in early 2010s and then sent them again to two NBA championship appearances in 2020s despite a line up filled with second rounder and undrafted players.
He is a top-of-the-line coach and Kerr witnessed that in many ways. The latter knew all along he will be Team USA’s next coach according to Spoelstra. He gave him a ‘good luck’ message long before he was confirmed.
“When we won in Paris, after the anthem, Steve turned to me — and he was joking — but he said, ‘Hey, good luck in ’28.’ I was just really appreciative of that,” Spoelstra said.
“Guys like Steve, Pop and Coach K, who have been through it, they’ll want to make sure that you’re prepared in every”
The 2028 Olympics will be held from July 14 to July 30 in 2028 in Los Angeles. Hosts instantly qualify for the tournament but Team USA are also defending champions and they are shoo-in.
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