Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, who was the lead assistant on Team USA's 2024 gold medal squad at the Paris Olympics, is reportedly expected to succeed Steve Kerr as the new head coach of USA Basketball.
The news was first reported by NBA insider Shams Charania, who also mentioned that Spoelstra will serve as head coach for both the upcoming World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Spoelstra was previously appointed as an assistant for the U.S. National Team from 2022 to 2024. He worked as head coach for the USA Select Team, coaching standout players who went against the main roster before the Summer Games.
Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue were the leading candidates to succeed Kerr. And it seems the national program has gone with the Heat coach.
MORE: Heat reportedly had a trade offer prepared for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Erik Spoelstra's accomplishments as Heat coach
Erik Spoelstra's expected appointment comes on the back of immense experience both in the NBA and in international tournaments.
Since joining the Heat as an assistant in 1997, to becoming their head coach, the Illinois native has gone through the rigors of coaching. He is the longest-tenured active NBA coach with a single team.
During his tenure with the Heat, he has coached several big names like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Jimmy Butler and many more. He has led the franchise to six NBA Finals and captured two championships in 2012 and 2013.
Some of his major accomplishments with Miami include 700-plus regular-season wins (currently 787), surpassing Pat Riley for the most wins in franchise history. In 2023-24, he was signed to a new eight-year contract that will reportedly earn him around $120 million.
More NBA news:
- Ranking the NBA's top 10 starters for the 2025-26 season
- Inside Bryce James' stats as LeBron's youngest son debuts at Arizona
- Victor Wembanyama's sister shows the family basketball genes extend beyond Spurs star
- Stephen A. Smith slams LeBron James’ ‘Second Decision’ announcement
- Bucks' Doc Rivers quickly shuts down Giannis Antetokounmpo to Knicks rumors