James Harden was one of the first NBA stars to abandon Team USA ahead of August’s dismal FIBA World Cup (7th place) performance. The Houston Rockets star said he wanted to focus on preparing to play with Russell Westbrook again.
Now, Harden is announcing his interest in helping the men’s national team defends its gold medal and its reputation after this summer’s depleted roster sputtered in China.
Harden joins a growing list of NBA stars who have expressed verbal commitment to play with Team USA in Tokyo in 2020. That list includes Golden State Warriors guards Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, who have all thrown their names in the mix ahead of next summer’s Olympic Games.
Harden said at Houston’s media day Friday, “it’s one of my goals to represent this beautiful country,” talking about the opportunity according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
