The tradition of passing the torch from one generation to the next carries a special significance for the USA men's basketball national team. Each player received a bag tag featuring the names of the legends who previously wore their jersey numbers, serving as a poignant reminder of the legacy they are upholding.
Jersey No. 10: Jayson Tatum Steps Up
Jayson Tatum will be donning the No. 10 jersey, a number with a rich history. Basketball greats such as Kevin Garnett, Reggie Miller, Anthony Edwards, and the irreplaceable Kobe Bryant have all worn this jersey. Jayson Tatum will undoubtedly feel the weight of this legacy as he strives to carve his own niche in international basketball.
No. 13: Bam Adebayo Honors Legends
Bam Adebayo will wear the No. 13 jersey in Paris, a number he also wears for his NBA team, the Miami Heat. Historically, this number has been donned by icons like Tim Duncan and Kevin Love, who sported it during the 2004 and 2012 Olympics, respectively. The legendary Shaquille O'Neal also wore No. 13 during the 1992 and 1996 Games. Adebayo, reflecting on his connection to No. 13, shared, "I love the number because my mother also wore it in high school."
LeBron James: Fourth Olympic Journey
LeBron James, one of the most celebrated players in basketball history, will be suiting up for his fourth Olympic Games, an achievement that places him among the sport's all-time greats. James will be wearing the No. 6 jersey, previously donned by Team USA coach Steve Kerr during the 1986 FIBA World Cup. The No. 6 jersey also carries the heritage of players like Penny Hardaway, Patrick Ewing, and Bill Russell. LeBron's experience and leadership are expected to be invaluable assets for Team USA.
Tyrese Haliburton: Embracing No. 9
Tyrese Haliburton has been assigned the No. 9 jersey, a number with a storied past. Legends such as Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Andre Iguodala, DeMar DeRozan, Dwayne Wade, and even LeBron James have worn this jersey for Team USA. Tyrese modestly admitted, "I was given this number ... I'm the young guy so I just get thrown a number, so not a bad number to get thrown." He also acknowledges the honor by stating, "It's a pretty good crew."
Stephen Curry: Proudly Wearing No. 4
Stephen Curry, who will be wearing the No. 4 jersey, is joining an elite group of athletes. Alongside him, past stars who have donned the No. 4 jersey include Jimmy Butler, Chauncey Billups, Carlos Boozer, and Allen Iverson. When asked about this lineage, Curry succinctly summed it up: "That's a pretty solid list."
As Team USA prepares to take on the world, each player's jersey number serves as both a badge of honor and a call to greatness. They will step onto the court not just as representatives of their country but as torchbearers of a storied tradition in American basketball. The echoes of the legends who came before them will undoubtedly serve as inspiration, pushing them to achieve their best and, perhaps, etch their own names into the annals of basketball history.