3 Players who could beat out Tyrese Haliburton for 2024 USA Olympics
By Jack Simone
Team USA’s run in the FIBA World Cup came to an abrupt end with a loss to Germany in the semifinals. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton had a great run, but outside of the third-place game against Canada, his run in FIBA is all but done.
Now, Haliburton will set his sights on the 2024 Olympics, as he’s already made it clear that his goal is to appear with the squad. (He actually wants to appear in three Olympics.)
That said, it won’t be a cakewalk for Haliburton to make the Olympic squad next summer, as a lot more players will be vying for a spot than the group that was trying to play in the FIBA World Cup.
Plus, the point guard position has a ton of talent, so Haliburton could have some stiff competition. And with how poorly Team USA played on defense at the World Cup, that could be a priority next summer.
Let’s take a look at some of the players he could be competing with for a spot. (Stephen Curry and Damian Lillard would presumably get an auto-bid over Haliburton, so they won’t be included.)
3 Players who could beat out Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton for 2024 USA Olympic spot: De’Aaron Fox
There’s a chance that De’Aaron Fox won’t even want to play in the 2024 Olympics, but if he does, he could have a case to make the team over Haliburton.
Haliburton definitely takes the edge as a playmaker, so that would be a clear edge up on the Sacramento Kings star, but Fox’s athleticism could make him a more attractive candidate.
He’s not the best defender in the league, but Fox has made serious strides on that side of the ball in recent years. Plus, his scoring could provide them with a great punch off the bench.
The former teammates are very close in skill level, so at the time of selecting squads, it could simply come down to who Steve Kerr and company prefer.