Team USA secured the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, guided by basketball legends Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James. Although the roster showcased many of the nation’s premier players, New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was notably absent from the squad. Still, many experts predict Brunson will secure a starting role in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, taking over the point guard position currently held by Curry, according to CBS Sports.
The 2024 Team USA roster featured three primary point guards: Curry, Derrick White, and Tyrese Haliburton. Despite narrowly missing the cut this year, Brunson is anticipated to be a key figure on the team four years from now.
Replacing Curry: Brunson’s Opportunity to Step Up
Brunson’s exclusion from the 2024 roster was not due to a lack of talent, as he was among the top candidates. Reflecting on his omission last summer, Brunson compared his situation to that of Isiah Thomas, who missed the 1992 Olympic Dream Team. He told Taylor Rooks,
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I would have wanted to play,
(But) the 40 players, you can’t go wrong with who you choose…If I get asked to play in the future, I’m not going to be like, ‘Nah, you guys didn’t pick me (last time).
”
While the core trio of Curry, Durant, and James are expected to retire or be nearing the end of their careers by 2028, Brunson belongs to the new wave of players set to lead Team USA going forward.
Colin Ward-Henninger highlighted Brunson’s growth, stating,
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Brunson has developed into one of the most prolific scoring guards in the world and, while he lacks size, his grittiness and intelligence should allow him to hold his own defensively on the international stage,
He has yet to make an Olympic appearance, but Brunson won gold as a member of the U18 and U19 Team USA squads and was a key member of the 2023 World Cup team.
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During the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Brunson was instrumental, ranking fourth in scoring and second in assists, as Team USA remained undefeated through five games to claim gold.
Projections for the 2028 Team USA backcourt include Brunson alongside Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Devin Booker, Cade Cunningham, and Donovan Mitchell, according to CBS Sports’ forecast.
Brunson’s Rising Status Among the NBA’s Elite
Though poised to represent Team USA in 2028, Brunson has already established himself as one of the <a href=”https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/basketball/nba/”>NBA’s top players. He led the New York Knicks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, is seventh in total points scored since 2023, and earned the 2024–25 Clutch Player of the Year award.
NBA.com recently ranked Brunson as the second-best player in the Eastern Conference, trailing only Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. Analyst Shaun Powell praised Brunson’s development, writing,
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Brunson went from a second-round pick and a backup point guard in Dallas to a franchise player in just a few years. He’s tricky with the dribble, a solid mid-range shooter and of course a player who wants the last shot,
Where would the Knicks be without him?
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Additional rankings reflect Brunson’s stature: HoopsHype named him the third-best point guard in the league, while The Ringer ranked him ninth overall among NBA players. His rapid rise and popularity within New York have cemented his position as a franchise leader and a likely cornerstone of Team USA’s 2028 lineup in Los Angeles.