James Harden, Russell Westbrook named finalists for 2020 Olympics

The All-Star guards and former MVPs from the Rockets are among 44 current NBA players who are in the running for the final 12-man roster.

Houston Rockets guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook indicated in training camp that each hoped to play in the 2020 Olympics.

As of Monday, we now know that both All-Star guards and former MVPs are among USA Basketball’s 44 finalists for the 12-man roster.

“That’s one of my goals, to represent the USA and represent this beautiful country in the games,” Harden said in September.

Harden and Westbrook are 30 and 31 years old, respectively. They won a gold medal together at the 2012 Olympics before each withdrew from consideration on the same day for the 2016 squad.

Harden leads the NBA in scoring with an average of 35.2 points per game this season, along with 7.3 assists and 6.5 rebounds. Meanwhile, Westbrook is averaging 27.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists.

Harden and Westbrook will both be in their mid 30s in the summer of 2024, which might make them reluctant at that age to put their bodies through that type of workload during an NBA offseason.

Thus, 2020 could be their last realistic opportunity to win Olympic gold for the United States. And assuming health, it appears the two Houston stars could potentially embark upon the journey together.

Westbrook and Harden each have plenty of Team USA experience, having played in 28 and 25 international games, respectively.

“Over the course of the remainder of the NBA season, we’ll continue to monitor all of the athletes,” said Jerry Colangelo, who has served as managing director of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team since 2005.

This summer’s Team USA squad will once again be coached by San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.

The 2020 Olympics will be held from July 24 through Aug. 9 in Tokyo, Japan, with training camp for Team USA starting weeks beforehand.

Twelve nations will compete in the 2020 Olympics competition for men’s basketball, with games held at the Saitama Super Arena. In addition to host Japan, qualified nations to this point include Argentina, Australia, France, Iran, Nigeria, Spain, and the United States.

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