USA Basketball names Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen as finalists for 2024 National Team
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell and forward Jarrett Allen could eventually trade the wine and gold for the stars and stripes.
Mitchell and Allen are among the 41 players announced to be within the pool of those eligible to be named to the 2024 USA Men's National Team, which will represent the U.S. at the Olympics in Paris.
The 41 potential players will be whittled down to a final roster of 12, which will be announced at a later date.
Mitchell and Allen both have previous experience representing the USA.
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Mitchell was a member of the 2019 USA World Cup Team and averaged a team-best 13.4 points per game. He scored the 10th-most points by an American player in a World Cup game when he finished with 29 points against France. He also tied the USA World Cup single-game assist record with 10 against Poland.
Allen was a member of the 2016 Men's U18 National Team that went 5-0 and won a gold medal at the 2016 FIBA Americas U18 championship in Chile. Allen started all five games for the U.S., averaging 10.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. He also took part in the 2016 Nike Hoop Summit in Portland, Oregon.
"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," said Grant Hill, USA Basketball Men's National team managing director. "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.
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Along with Mitchell and Allen, the remaining players among the 41 possible candidates includes Bam Adebayo, Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, Jimmy Butler, Alex Caruso, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards, Joel Embiid, De’Aaron Fox, Paul George, Aaron Gordon, Tyrese Haliburton, James Harden, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Jrue Holiday, Chet Holmgren, Brandon Ingram, Kyrie Irving, Jaren Jackson Jr., LeBron James, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, Chris Paul, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White and Trae Young.
Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByRyanLewis.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Team USA basketball: Finalists include Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen
