Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving recently gave an exclusive interview to TA legend Sam Amick. Irving said he was a little disappointed that he was not selected for the Paris Olympics, but he did not give up playing for the United States men's basketball team in 2028. If he can't play for the United States men's basketball team at the 2028 Olympics, then he is willing to play for the Australia men's basketball team.
To put it simply, in Irving's view, the United States men's basketball team is the first choice, and the Australia men's basketball team is the alternative. Sam Amick asked Irving if Nike was the reason he didn't make the United States team? Previously, Jaylen Brown bombarded Nike because of his failure to select the United States team. Owen replied, "I don't know why, I don't pay enough attention to Nike right now. ”
In January, the United States men's basketball team announced a list of 41 candidates for the Paris Olympics, and Owen was among them. In March, Irving said he was eager to represent United States at the Paris Olympics and wanted to be part of that team. In April, the United States men's basketball team announced a 12-man roster without Irving. Even if the small card withdrew, Owen could not make up for it.
Born in Australia and spending his childhood in New Jersey, United States, Owen holds dual United States and Australia citizenship. In June 2010, at the age of 18, Irving won the Americas Youth Basketball Championship for the United States U18 men's basketball team. In 2011, Irving was named NBA champion and Australia invited him to compete in the 2012 Olympics.
In 2011, Owen neither agreed nor rejected the Australia Basketball Association. Until 2012, when he could not delay any longer, Irving decided to play for the United States men's basketball team, and he wanted to join hands with his college mentor Coach K again, which was a tactful rejection of Australia. Irving then played for the United States men's basketball team at the 2014 Basketball World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Having played in the World Series for United States men's basketball multiple times, can Owen still play for Australia at the 2028 Olympics? In an exclusive interview with Sam Amick, Owen admitted: "I would love to play for Australia, but I don't think it's very likely, it depends on what the Olympic Committee does. "Irving isn't all right, it's up to United States Basketball and FIBA.
Not to mention Irving's state in four years, if he wants to play for Australia, he must get a clarification letter from the United States Basketball Association and must be approved by FIBA. This offseason, Klay Thompson wanted to play in the Olympic qualifiers for the Bahamas, but the United States Basketball Association refused to issue a clarification letter, and in the end Clay did not play for the Bahamas.
Clay, like Irving, has played in the World Series for the United States men's basketball team. FIBA has an ambiguous rule: if the player wants to join the developing national basketball team and is deemed to be in the best interests of basketball development, FIBA may, at its discretion, modify the terms to allow him to change national teams after the age of 17.
Eric Gordon wanted to join the Bahamas, and the United States basketball team got started. Now that the Bahamas has Gordon, Hield and Ayton, they are no longer part of the "developing basketball national team", so this time Clay was rejected. The Australia men's basketball team is a traditional powerhouse, and the world ranking has long occupied the top five, and the United States Basketball Association and FIBA may not agree.
Final question: Do you think Irving can play for the Australia men's basketball team?