Heat’s Erik Spoelstra to be Team USA’s new head coach – Basketball Insider

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra will succeed Steve Kerr as the new head coach of the USA Basketball senior men’s team. ESPN’s Shams Charania first reported.

Spoelstra serves as the lead assistant coach when Team USA captures the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. He will be responsible for the 2027 FIBA ​​World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

Team USA Managing Director Grant Hill has had a consistent succession plan in place since taking over the role. Kerr previously served as Gregg Popovich’s top assistant, and now Spoelstra takes over as top assistant after working under Kerr. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see who becomes Spoelstra’s top assistant.

Spoelstra is considered one of the best coaches in the NBA, winning two championships and leading the Heat to five Finals appearances.

He is currently leading the Heat back on track in the post-Jimmy Butler era.

Will Spoelstra lead a completely new American team?

Team USA’s 2024 Olympics was a historic one, with LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant teaming up to win the gold medal.

It’s likely, though, that none will be available for the 2028 run. James will be 43, Durant will be nearly 40, and Curry said Paris will be his only Olympics.

Joel Embiid was available in 2024, but his knee issues make it unlikely he will pursue that opportunity again. Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis are two others who could be left out.

If that’s the case, Team USA will likely be led by the likes of Anthony Edwards, Cooper Flagg and Jalen Brunson.

Jayson Tatum barely received any playing time in the last Olympics, so his status with the national team may be worth keeping an eye on. Spoelstra was part of the coaching staff involved in the decision not to play him.