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Former Milwaukee Bucks Star Confident Team USA 'Ain’t Taking Home The Gold Medal' At 2028 Olympics
Former Milwaukee Bucks Star Confident Team USA Mar 24, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) looks on against the Orlando Magic in the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

When Team USA Basketball won yet another gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, it was clear that the era of USA dominance over every other team was over. The United States earned their victory against the rest of the field, but the gap between them and other teams has significantly shrunk. Heading into 2028, one former Milwaukee Bucks leading man is confident that Team USA won’t be crowned Olympic champions at the next Summer Games in Los Angeles.

Former Milwaukee Bucks Guard Brandon Jennings Says Team USA Will Not Win Gold at 2028 Olympics

Brandon Jennings, a former Milwaukee Bucks All-Star, is confident that the era of dominance for Team USA will soon be over at the Olympic Games. Heading into the 2028 Games, which the United States will host in the city of Los Angeles, Jennings asserted that USA Basketball would not be the one to win the gold medal.

Team USA has won gold in each Olympic Games since the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece, where Argentina defeated Italy in the final. Team USA finished third place that year.

By 2028, some of Team USA’s best players from the 2024 Games will likely be retired. LeBron James will be 43 years old; Kevin Durant will be 40; Steph Curry will be 41. It is unlikely that they will still be the best players that Team USA can field at the Olympics. It’s possible that Steve Kerr is not even coaching Team USA by then.


Bucks News: Bobby Portis Reacts to Getting Linked to Warriors as He Enters His 6th Milwaukee Season With Huge Decision to Make 2 Oct 11, 2024; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (center) is flanked by head coach Steve Kerr and forward Draymond Green as he is presented his gold medal for his performance for Team USA at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris before taking on the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Whether or not Jennings is correct remains to be seen, but it is almost certain that Team USA will look significantly different come 2028.

The Rest of the World is Catching Up to Team USA

Jennings was not just willing to call out Team USA as a team that would not win gold – he had another winner specifically in mind. That team is France, who took silver at the 2024 Games.

France has plenty of young talent on their squad, and Victor Wembanyama figures to be entering his prime by that season. Still just 21 years old, he has so much room to grow despite already being one of the most terrifying talents in the NBA.


Former Milwaukee Bucks Star Confident Team USA Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after a dunk during the fourth quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center on October 25, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

There will be plenty of other legitimate challengers for the medal places in 2028. Serbia, led by Nikola Jokic, took bronze at the 2024 Games and will be back to improve upon that finish in 2028. Canada, Germany, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Greece will all be keen to move into medal positions as well.


Former Milwaukee Bucks Star Confident Team USA Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) runs onto the court before the game against Germany during a mens basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA vs Team World at All-Star 2026 will be another chance for the rest of the world to show that USA is far from invincible. As suggested by many, including Antetokounmpo himself, All-Star Weekend will now be a showcase of the best players from the USA and the best players from various other countries across the globe. The stakes at All-Star Weekend will be extremely high.


Former Milwaukee Bucks Star Confident Team USA Feb 18, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Eastern Conference guard Damian Lillard (0) of the Milwaukee Bucks, guard Tyrese Maxey (0) of the Philadelphia 76ers, and forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) of the Milwaukee Bucks receive the trophy following their victory against the Western Conference All-Stars in the 73rd NBA All Star game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA will still enter the tournament as favorites, and whether Jennings is right about them not being good enough to win gold or not, the 2028 Games will be a fascinating event. NBA All-Star 2026 could add some even more fuel to the fire as Team USA will face Team World.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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