Kevin Durant, Devin Booker found out about Team USA nods in surprising fashion

Phoenix Suns duo Kevin Durant and Devin Booker were expected to land on Team USA's 12-man roster for 2024 Paris Olympics, but the manner in which they found out came as a surprise.

Durant and Booker walked in a room in Minneapolis before the Suns played the Timberwolves last weekend and saw USA Basketball men's national team managing director Grant Hill standing there with their Team USA jerseys.

"We had no idea," Booker said. "G's (Grant Hill) is there and the jerseys are there."

Durant will wear No. 7 while Booker has No. 15.

"Fire," Booker said when asked about the jerseys.

USA Basketball announced the final 12-man roster Wednesday morning. Booker and Durant, a three-time Olympic champion, won Olympic gold in 2021 in Tokyo amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I'm excited about the experience," Booker said. "The roster has come out now. It's star studded with some legends of the game that weren't a part of it last time around. I didn't get the full experience going straight from the (2021 NBA) finals to just playing (in the Olympics). Taking it in with all of our families is going to be a good time."

Lakers forward, LeBron James, a two-time Olympic champion, Heat big Bam Adebayo, Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Lakers big Anthony Davis, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, 76ers big Joel Embiid, Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, Celtics guard Jrue Holiday, Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum make up the remaining roster chosen by Hill and approved by USA Basketball board of directors.

"I’m grateful to these 12 men for their commitment to represent USA Basketball," Hill said in a news release. "The United States is home to some of the best basketball players in the world and I appreciate the vast interest in being part of this roster. These decisions weren’t easy, but it was a pleasure to go through the process and reach this outcome. We have the utmost respect for the level of competition we will face this summer. The Olympics represent the pinnacle of sport and the world will be watching the USA as we play in the toughest basketball tournament in history."

Suns star guard Bradley Beal was set to play in 2021, but missed out due to having COVID-19. He's happy his Suns teammates Booker and Durant were chosen, but wishes he could be on Team USA with them.

"I love it," Beal said. "I am jealous. I wish I was on the team, but that team is a super team. So many talented guys, my brother Jayson is on the team, too. I'm beyond ecstatic for all of those guys. I wish them nothing but the best good health. Bring back the gold. That's all that matters."

Durant and Booker were all smiles when Hill presented them with the jerseys.

"I love my USAB family," The 35-year-old Durant said in the jersey video. "Every experience I've had with them has been life changing and I want to do it again. I'm looking forward to continuing our reign as Olympic champions and I know we're going to have a great group coming this time. My days are getting cut short so I'm taking advantage of every opportunity. So I'm grateful for it."

Warriors coach Steve Kerr is head coach of Team USA as Durant won two NBA championships with Kerr and Curry in Golden State. Durant was named finals MVP both times in 2017 and 2018.

"My staff and I are honored to coach this amazing group of players in our quest to win Olympic gold in Paris," Kerr said in a news release. "We plan to represent USA Basketball with the utmost class and we hope to make our country proud."

Durant, Booker, Holiday, Tatum and Adebayo were on the last Team USA to win gold in Tokyo. Durant is the all-time leading scorer for Team USA in the men's Olympic basketball competition with 435 points.

Durant also ranks first for Team USA in Olympic competition in scoring average (19.8), field goals made (146), 3-point field goals made (74) and free throws made (69). He's third in rebounds (118) and blocks (16) and fourth in games played (24) and assists (71).

Training camp begins July 6 in Las Vegas, a month after the NBA Finals. Team USA will have a five-game showcase starting July 10 against Canada in Las Vegas. USA will then play two more games in Abu Dhabi against Australia on July 15 and Serbia on July 17. The team rounds out showcase play on July 20 against South Sudan and July 22 versus Germany as both games are in London.

In Group C, Team USA plays three first-round Olympic games in Lille, France against Serbia on July 28, South Sudan on July 31 and the winner of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico on Aug. 3. The knockout and medal rounds.

Team USA's roster is in reaction to not winning a medal in the 2023 World Cup as James called for the NBA's best players to play in the Olympics. Team USA has won four straight Olympic gold medals.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns duo Durant, Booker on Team USA for 2024 Paris Olympics