LeBron James heads star-studded USA team to play in Abu Dhabi ahead of Paris Olympics
Likes of Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant will also be part of 12-man squad set to play two exhibition games in UAE capital as part of preparation for Paris 2024
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid … those are just a handful of the stars that have been named on this summer’s USA Basketball Men’s National Team announced on Wednesday and all of them will be coming to Abu Dhabi to compete in two friendly games ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
A 12-man box-office roster that also includes Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Bam Adebayo, and Jrue Holiday, will take on Australia on July 15 and Serbia on July 17 at Yas Island’s Etihad Arena in what will be a crucial part of Team USA’s preparation for their Olympic title defence.
Grant Hill, the managing director of the US National Team, said they were all “blown away” by their experience in the Emirates last year and jumped at the chance to come back this summer.
“We had such a blast there last year. We had such a good time,” Hill told The National during a Zoom call with members of the press on Wednesday following the squad announcement.
“They were so hospitable. The venue, the accommodations, but just the energy and the spirit there was so much fun. Even when it was really hot, we still managed to have a great time.
“Some great sights, we got a chance to see and experience culture, go out to the desert, go to Dubai, visit the mosque.”
“So yeah, the opportunity presented itself and I know all of us from a leadership standpoint, the coaching staff, we were like, ‘Wow, if we could go back there, that would be awesome’. And so it's worked out that way.”
Hill, who played for USA when they won Olympic gold in 1996, has put together a stacked roster for Paris that is reminiscent of the famous 1992 Dream Team that featured Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
USA finished fourth at the World Cup last year after losing to Germany in the semi-finals and Canada in the bronze-medal game.
The Olympics will surely be a different story with the likes of James and Curry at the helm and a well-thought-out exhibition schedule that features games against Canada in Las Vegas (July 10), a pair of clashes in London against South Sudan (July 20) and Germany (July 22) along with the two exhibition matches in Abu Dhabi.
“We’re grateful we get to go back [to the UAE] and we have two incredible opponents that we’ll play while we're there, Serbia and Australia, both great teams and great players on those teams,” added Hill.
“The exhibition schedule is important and I think we were blown away by our experience there last year and look forward to bringing some of the new players who haven't experienced it before this summer.”
Abu Dhabi is fast becoming a hot spot for world-class basketball, thanks to a multi-year deal signed between the NBA and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, which tipped off in 2022 with the staging of two NBA pre-season games between the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks.
Last year, the USA, Greece, Germany, Egypt, Mexico and Lebanon held training camps and contested friendlies in August before the NBA returned for two more pre-season games between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves in the fall.
Both Jokic and Tatum will come to the UAE capital before then though, the former with Serbia and the latter with USA, for some pre-Olympics exhibitions.
Jaden Hardy of Dallas takes on Jordan McLaughlin of Minnesota during the game between the Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Jordan Walker of Dallas takes on Trevor Keels of Minnesota during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota scores during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
NBA legend Sam Perkins. The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dereck Lively II of Dallas takes on Rudy Gobert of Minnesota during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
NBA legend Ray Allen. The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Josh Minott of Minnesota shoots during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Minnesota celebrate during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Timberwolves mascot Crunch the Wolf during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Trick shot artists perform during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Trick shot artists perform during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Emirati UFC fighter Mohammed Yahya speaks to former Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion (L) during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Matt Ryan of Minnesota shoots during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
NBA legend Tim Hardaway Snr. The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Rapper DaBaby (L) takes to Steve Harvey during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season NBA game as part of the Abu Dhabi Games 2023. Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Luka Doncic of Dallas Mavericks shoots during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a pre-season game as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Minnesota won 104-96. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Comedian Steve Harvey talks with former NBA player Gary Payton, right, during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks at Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Karl-Anthony Towns of Minnesota gathers the ball. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Dallas Mavericks in a pre-season game as part of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2023 on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Troy Brown Jr of Minnesota shoots during the game against Dallas Mavericks. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Former Brazilian footballer Ronaldo watches from court side. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Luka Doncic of Dallas shoots during the game. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Former France footballer Patrice Evra watches from court side. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Maxi Kleber of Dallas takes on Naz Reid of Minnesota. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Actor Michael B Jordan with Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, centre left, during the game. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Seth Curry of Dallas takes on Mike Conley of Minnesota. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A cheerleader hands out prizes during the game. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Troy Brown Jr of Minnesota heads to the basket. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dallas head coach Jason Kidd, right, with Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Greg Brown III of Dallas, left, takes on Luka Garza of Minnesota. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Seth Curry of Dallas. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Former NBA player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Chris Whiteoak / The National
LeBron James returns to the US Olympic roster for the first time since 2012 and the two-time gold medallist will be contesting his fourth Games in Paris this summer.
Durant is a three-time Olympic gold medallist while Curry will be competing in his first Olympic Games.
Adebayo (2020), Booker (2020), Davis (2012), Holiday (2020) and Tatum (2020) have won Olympic gold medals and are part of a group that has gone 34-4 in Olympic competition since James’ debut in 2004.
Team USA will be led in Paris by head coach Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors), who is assisted by Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (L.A. Clippers) and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat).
In a warm gesture that was documented and shared on USA Basketball’s social media, Hill and his staff visited every player on the 12-man squad to personally present them with their own national team jerseys ahead of the official announcement on Wednesday.
Hill admits there were some tough decisions that had to be made to finalise the roster and understands why some of the snubs, like that of New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson, have raised some eyebrows. Brunson was part of the US squad that played at the World Cup last year and is currently enjoying a standout season with the Knicks, who have secured the No 2 seed in the Eastern Conference play-offs.
“First of all, I acknowledge the season he's having is just magical. It's impressive and it's like he almost played himself into that sort of MVP conversation, if you will,” said Hill when asked of Brunson.
“And he's been a great member of our programme, not just last year on the men's national team, but also with the grassroots and the U17s and so on and so forth. So I wanted to acknowledge that.
“I think it's important for me to really honour and celebrate the 12 that are on the team. And not get caught up by this person or that person.
“There were some really difficult decisions that were to be made. You have players who are incredible, players who have helped us in years past, helped us win gold medals. We've had players who are having current seasons that are just off the charts.
“The job was putting together a team and a team that we felt and ultimately what I felt the pieces fit. And this is not an indictment on anyone else. There are some great, great players and we're so grateful that they were interested and they were willing to be a part of this.
“But with that said, we're really, really excited about our group and excited about the pieces, the style, the skill set, the personalities, and we look forward to the challenge ahead.”
USA have landed in Group C at the Olympics alongside Serbia, South Sudan and the winning nation that will emerge through the qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico early July.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
2) Smishing
The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
3) Vishing
The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
4) SIM swap
Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
5) Identity theft
Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
6) Prize scams
Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700. The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers. The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
Cherry
Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo
1/5
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
The flights Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur,Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang,Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes. 23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi,Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Mina Cup winners
Under 12 – Minerva Academy
Under 14 – Unam Pumas
Under 16 – Fursan Hispania
Under 18 – Madenat
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
Travel distance: Limited
Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
Duration: Can linger for days
Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
Saturday Spezia v Lazio (6pm), Juventus v Torino (9pm), Inter Milan v Bologna (7.45pm)
Sunday Verona v Cagliari (3.30pm), Parma v Benevento, AS Roma v Sassuolo, Udinese v Atalanta (all 6pm), Crotone v Napoli (9pm), Sampdoria v AC Milan (11.45pm)
