Bulls' Alex Caruso among 41 finalists for 2024 Olympic roster
Bulls' Alex Caruso among 41 finalists for 2024 Olympic roster originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Team USA's men's basketball roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics is beginning to take shape, and a member of the Chicago Bulls made the initial cut.
According to the list released by USA Basketball on Tuesday, Bulls guard Alex Caruso will be one of 41 players aiming to make the cut for the 12-man squad that'll represent the United States in Paris over the summer.
Caruso is having a strong season for the Bulls, averaging 9.9 points, 2.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game for Chicago.
Caruso would give the Bulls representatives in three consecutive Olympics if he's selected, as guard Zach LaVine was on the U.S. squad that ultimately captured the gold medal with an 87-82 win over France in Tokyo.
Jimmy Butler, who is among the 41 finalists this year, represented the Bulls when he suited up for Team USA in the 2016 Olympics.
Here's a full look at the 41 finalists:
Heat center Bam Adebayo
Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen
Magic forward Paolo Banchero
Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane
Raptors forward Scottie Barnes
Suns guard Devin Booker
Nets forward Mikal Bridges
Celtics guard Jaylen Brown
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson
Heat forward Jimmy Butler
Bulls guard Alex Caruso
Warriors guard Stephen Curry
Lakers center Anthony Davis
Suns forward Kevin Durant
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards
76ers center Joel Embiid
Kings guard De'Aaron Fox
Clippers forward Paul George
Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon
Pacers guard Tyrese Hailburton
Clippers guard James Harden
Heat guard Tyler Herro
Celtics guard Jrue Holiday
Thunder center Chet Holmgren
Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram
Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving
Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Lakers forward LeBron James
Nets forward Cam Johnson
Jazz center Walker Kessler
Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard
Bucks guard Damian Lillard
Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell
Warriors guard Chris Paul
Bucks forward Bobby Portis
Lakers guard Austin Reaves
Heat guard Duncan Robinson
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum
Celtics guard Derrick White
Hawks guard Trae Young
The player pool was selected by managing director Grant Hill and is subject to change, according to USA Basketball. The final roster will be announced at a later date.
“The United States boasts unbelievable basketball talent and I am thrilled that many of the game’s superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games,” Hill said in a statement. “It is a privilege to select the team that will help us toward the goal of once again standing atop the Olympic podium. This challenging process will unfold over the next several months as we eagerly anticipate the start of national team activity."
Hill, head coach Steve Kerr and the rest of USA Basketball staff will be tasked with putting together a team capable of extending the country's gold medal streak. Team USA has finished atop the podium at the last four Olympic Games.
The Americans will hold a training camp in Las Vegas in the leadup to the Olympics. They are scheduled to play Canada in an exhibition at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 10. They have two other tune-up games in London scheduled for July 20 versus South Sudan and July 22 versus Germany.
The Paris Olympics will run from July 26 to Aug. 11.