The 2024 Olympics are over. Tyrese Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard both represented the Indiana Pacers in the men’s basketball competition, with Haliburton wins gold medalFormer Pacer Chase Budinger was also an Olympian, but he played beach volleyball.
Attention now turns to the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles. Thanks to this geographical location, the United States has already qualified for the men’s basketball competition in Los Angeles. The other 11 teams will be determined over the next few years.
Before 2024, the last Pacers player to compete in the Olympics was Paul George in 2016. After two other Pacers players reached at least the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympics, who could play in 2028?
Tyrese Haliburton — United States
Haliburton has already been on two tours with Team USA and is a natural for another. He will be just 28 for LA28 and was one of the young players on the red, white and blue team this summer. His experience and talent will count.
The Pacers star has now finished fourth at the 2023 World Cup and won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. Current Team USA head coach Steve Kerr is a fan.
“I would say most of our other guys are kind of a combo [guards] — Stephanie [Curry]Jrue [Holiday]Lebron [James] It’s kind of a point forward. Tyrese is very much a field general, your traditional point guard,” Kerr said.
Brian Windhort of ESPN It has been suggested that Haliburton could be involved in the program in the future.
“Tyrese Haliburton was slowed down at the Olympics by a minor leg injury — The U.S. team hasn’t announced it, but he’s had an MRI, sources said — and has been caught in a numbers game, but he still has a future with the program,” he reported.
Andrew Nembhard — Canada
Nembhard represented Canada at the 2024 Olympics and played every game in the first eight. He played well throughout the tournamentand at 24, he should be in the running for future competitions with Canada.
“The point guard is an essential position in FIBA, the games are short, every possession counts and that is one of his great strengths,” Rowan Barrett, general manager of Canada’s men’s national team, said: de Nembhard. “He is a very, very good decision maker, very calm.”
At the Olympics, Nembhard averaged 6.3 points and 1.3 assists per game. His defense was also important for Team Canada, and his ability to slot in alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and/or Jamal Murray should make him a natural fit for future teams.
Pascal Siakam — Cameroon
Cameroon’s basketball team is not usually a contender for the Olympics, but it reached an Olympic qualifying tournament for the first time since 2008 this year. The country is on the rise in men’s basketball and has had impressive results in AfroBasket over the past 20 years.
Siakam was named to Olympic pre-qualifying team this year, but it did not play due to his free agent status. While his talent level suggests he will be in the mix in 2028 if Cameroon is still playing, his contract is a four-year deal that expires in 2028, so he will once again be a free agent. A future contract extension could improve his chances of being an Olympian.
Bennedict Mathurin — Canada
Mathurin was with the Canadian team He participated in a pre-Olympic camp this summer, but his shoulder injury prevented him from participating fully. He wasn’t a contender for the Olympic team, but he still trained with the group.
Obviously, Canada wants him to be a part of the program in some capacity, so expect Mathurin to be in the mix for LA28. The Canadiens have depth at the back end, so making the team will be tough, but Mathurin is talented enough to do so and can play on the wing if needed.
He has already played with Team Canada and has expressed his desire to represent his country ahead of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. Mathurin is certainly worth keeping an eye on over the next four years – and he’s still young.
Johnny Furphy — Australia
Furphy was already one of 22 players selected for Australia’s preliminary Olympic squad This year, however, he was not selected. As the rookie winger improves, he should certainly be in the running with the Boomers.
The Australian team could use Furphy’s shooting and size, but they will lose some talent on the wing as they age over the next four years. If Furphy succeeds in the NBA, he could then compete in the 2028 Olympics, and Australia should qualify.
“I’m keeping a close eye on the baby boomers right now. It’s pretty exciting to see what they’ve done,” Furphy said on The Paceroos Podcast He plans to play for Australia in the future. He likes the impact the young players have on the program. “I keep a close eye on the program. To imagine myself playing in that kind of FIBA environment is really exciting… it’s kind of the ultimate goal for me.” Furphy will be 23 at the next Olympics.
Enrique Freeman — Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico made it to the Olympics this year, and Pacers rookie Enrique Freeman is of Puerto Rican descent. His international future is undetermined, but he could be a player to watch in the coming seasons.
He is posted a photo on Instagram of himself training in San Juan, Puerto Rico, before that. If Puerto Rico qualifies in 2028, Freeman could be eligible to make the team. He will be 28 at that time.
