With the possibilities still open for Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James to play in the 2020 Olympics, as well as verbal commitments in the media from stars like Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Damian Lillard, perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that the United States still came out ranked No. 1 in the latest FIBA World rankings despite a 7th place finish in this month’s FIBA World Cup in China.
LeBron has teased a potential return to Team USA at various points this summer, discussing how much he loves representing his country on the world stage. Also the presence of the world’s best athletes in basically every sport makes the Olympics a much more enticing use of time for the NBA’s best players. It would also give LeBron the opportunity to have a more ceremonious exit from his international career.
Spain won the FIBA World Cup on Sunday, led by Phoenix Suns point guard and tournament MVP Ricky Rubio as well as Toronto Raptors center Marc Gasol. The United States, as well as finalist and tournament cinderella Argentina, were the two teams from the Americas to punch their tickets to next year’s Olympic basketball tournament in Tokyo.
James skipped the 2016 Olympics after helping Cleveland break their 54 year drought by winning the NBA title over the Golden State Warriors. He had competed in the previous three Olympic games in 2004, 2008 and 2012.
