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USA Basketball Finalizes Decision On Steve Kerr's Replacement

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 2:14 PM ET

Despite leading the United States to their fifth-straight gold medal in men's basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Steve Kerr will not be serving in the same role for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles - or the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup for that matter.

According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, USA Basketball has named Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra as the men's national team head coach.

"Just in: USA Basketball is expected to name Erik Spoelstra as the new head coach of the men's national team, sources tell ESPN. Spoelstra succeeds Steve Kerr for the next World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics after serving as a lead assistant on Team USA's 2024 gold medal squad," Charania wrote on Thursday.

Spoelstra has long been tipped to land the job ever since Kerr first announced he would not be returning to the role. He served as a top assistant under Kerr during their 2024 Olympic run.

Just in: USA Basketball is expected to name Erik Spoelstra as the new head coach of the men's national team, sources tell ESPN. Spoelstra succeeds Steve Kerr for the next World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics after serving as a lead assistant on Team USA's 2024 gold medal squad. pic.twitter.com/eApR2LsXeB
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 9, 2025

Spoelstra is the longest-tenured coach in the NBA, surpassing Kerr by six years. He's taken his teams to six NBA Finals, winning two with LeBron James and the Big Three in 2012 and 2013. Spoelstra is 787-572 in the regular season and 110-83 in the postseason and has missed the playoffs only three times in 17 years.

Fans on social media were immediately supportive of the move:

"YES! Been praying for this since Gregg Popovich stepped down. Erik Spoelstra is literally the perfect coach for Team USA," one user on X declared.

"Good pick," another wrote.

"It’s about damn time."

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra reacts against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Rhona Wise-Imagn ImagesCredit: Rhona Wise-Imagn Images

Kerr was heavily criticized for his tenure with Team USA, not just because of his politics but because of his team's struggles in both the World Cup and just in general.

Spoelstra's first big test will come in the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar two summers from now.

The United States has not even medaled at the World Cup since 2014.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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