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.
3 Players who could beat out Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton for 2024 USA Olympic spot: Derrick White
Perhaps the most unorthodox name on this list, Derrick White could be a sneaky candidate to play for the 2024 US Olympic squad, primarily for his play on the defensive end.
During the World Cup, Josh Hart got moved into a starting role because of how comfortable he was as a role player playing alongside stars. Brandon Ingram got bumped to the bench.
It would be for that same reason that Team USA could go with a guy like White for the 2024 Olympics. Having a high-level role player comfortable playing off stars would be a useful commodity.
White is a top-notch three-point shooter, a great secondary ball-handler, extremely low-maintenance, and made the All-Defensive Second Team last year.
Obviously, Tyrese Haliburton is a better player than White. One is an All-Star, and the other is a role player. But that’s exactly why they could choose to take a guy like White.
Other names to watch out for that fall under this category include Alex Caruso, Marcus Smart, and Bruce Brown – defensive-minded role players who are comfortable off the ball.
White is the premier choice when it comes to this archetype of player, and while it may seem weird for him to make the team over a guy like Haliburton, it could very well happen.
3 Players who could beat out Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton for 2024 USA Olympic spot: Jrue Holiday
Combine everything that was said in the last slide, say it about Jrue Holiday, and add in the fact that he was an All-Star last year, and the veteran guard is a serious threat to steal a spot away from Tyrese Haliburton.
Holiday just wrapped up one of the best seasons he’s had in years, and while the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated in the first round, it doesn’t take away from how impactful he was.
In addition to his always-stellar defensive play, Holiday was an elite three-point shooter and the second scoring option on the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
And while he’s not quite the playmaker of Tyrese Haliburton, Holiday is still more than proficient in that category. He’s truly one of the best all-around point guards in the NBA today.
Team USA fell extremely flat on the defensive end against Germany in the semifinals, and when they go to select their squad for the 2023 Olympics, that contest will be sitting in the back of their minds.
Holiday’s defensive presence, and the fact that he won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Olympics, made him a great candidate to make the team again next year, potentially at the expense of a guy like Haliburton.