James Harden on playing for Team USA in the 2020 Olympics: 'Of course that's one of my goals'

Scott Rafferty

James Harden on playing for Team USA in the 2020 Olympics: 'Of course that's one of my goals' image

More firepower might be on the way for Team USA heading into the 2020 Olympic Games.

At Houston's media day on Friday, Rockets superstar James Harden was asked if he plans on playing in next year's Olympic Games. His response: "Of course that's one of my goals, to represent the USA and represent this beautiful country."

Harden has already won two gold medals as a member of Team USA — the first in the 2012 Olympic Games, the second in the 2014 World Cup. However, he hasn't played for the national team since, as he withdrew from the 2016 Olympics as well as the 2019 World Cup. The United States still won gold in 2016, but it finished in seventh place in this year's World Cup, the second-worst tournament finish in USA Basketball history.

Harden isn't the only NBA All-Star to have shown interest in playing in the upcoming Olympics following Team USA's loss in the World Cup. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have both said they plan to play in 2020, as has Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and Harden's new Rockets teammate Russell Westbrook.

While it remains to be seen if the likes of Anthony Davis and LeBron James will join them, it doesn't appear as though Team USA will have the same problems recruiting players next summer as they did this summer.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.