Before the Miami Heat’s Sunday loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, Erik Spoelstra revealed that he has no names in mind yet for his 12-man Team USA lineup in the 2028 Summer Games.
But he might soon call the service of a familiar one who could help him in the United States' looming FIBA World Cup outing.
"I really enjoyed my time working with him as an assistant coach on the World Cup team,” Spoelstra said about Austin Reaves, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “What an experience that was, and it was humbling. The FIBA game was different and I think that was really important for all of us to go through that as a coaching staff to prepare us for the Olympics the next year.
“But Austin, he was a joy. I mean, he brings a gym to life. He was a crowd favorite over there and had some great moments. He's a competitor as well and you have to love that about him. What he's doing this year is really remarkable."
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Spoelstra handled Reaves as an assistant coach under Steve Kerr for Team USA from the previous 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. But as it is, they failed miserably in clinching any podium finish, losing against Germany in the semifinals round and over Canada in the 3rd place game.
Although defending their basketball crown at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is their ultimate goal, reclaiming the United States’ glory in FIBA remains one of Spoelstra’s missions as the national team’s newest head coach. The last time the Americans won the tournament gold was in 2014.
It's been two years since his memorable FIBA run in Manila, and Reaves managed to make a gigantic leap already in his career. The undrafted sensation is now becoming a bona fide star with the Lakers, as he averages a staggering 31.1 points, 9.3 assists and 5.1 boards in seven games so far this 2025-26 season.
After that disappointing finish in the previous FIBA World Cup, Reaves may strongly consider a payback campaign with Team USA in Qatar.
And from the special words he offered, Spoelstra couldn’t be more welcoming about the possible addition of the Lakers star to his 2027 roster.
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