Kyrie Irving reacts to not making Team USA Olympic roster: 'I just wasn't a good fit' / News - Basketnews.com

Kyrie Irving explained why he wasn't surprised he didn't make Team USA's squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving wasn't among the 12 NBA players named to Team USA’s men’s basketball roster for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.

Kyrie Irving

Team:Dallas MavericksPosition:PG, SGAge:32Height:191 cmWeight:87 kgBirth place:Melbourne, AustraliaProfileNewsStatistics

Irving, who won gold with Team USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, reflected on that news after the Mavericks practiced Thursday.

"I wish my brothers the best. I just wasn't a good fit for this team," Irving said. "The deliberation process was tough. But again, I have nothing but respect for those guys at USA (Basketball). At this point in my career I think my focus should be on winning a championship."

The 12-man lineup includes LeBron James, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday, Bam Debayo, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, and Kevin Durant. Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will serve as their coach.

USA Basketball commemorated each player who made the Olympic roster by surprising them with a jersey at team facilities across the NBA. Irving, however, longs for a time when Team USA held tryouts for international events.

"I also grew up at a time when we actually had to try out for USA (basketball). We met as a group and as peers," Irving said.

"There was a mutual respect that we earned for each other by trying out and then seeing which five (players) fit together well. I think the timing is obviously a little different.

But I miss those days where we could just get everyone break bread together and then compete against each other – and then the deliberation process happens at the end of those four or five days, even though people know who’s going to be on the team.

I miss that fun part of being together. But I wish my brothers the best."

The training camp for the Olympic Games starts on July 5 in Las Vegas.

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