USA Basketball hopes that the postponed Tokyo Olympics will take place around the same time next year as they were originally planned for this year.
Otherwise, the situation, which is already complex, could become even more challenging for coaches and players.
> IOC officially postpones Tokyo Olympics
On Tuesday, Jerry Colangelo, the managing director of USA Basketball, announced that he has “hit the pause button” on preparations for the next Olympics. He mentioned that all they can do now is wait to find out the exact dates for the Tokyo games in 2021 and whether the new schedule will clash with the NBA season.
“It’s pretty simple, isn’t it? We either have NBA players or we don’t,” Colangelo told The Associated Press. “And if we don’t, we’ll look at the other options.”
Currently, Colangelo is dedicated to keeping his role until 2021, and the coaching staff is equally committed. The U.S. team’s head coach is Gregg Popovich from the San Antonio Spurs, and his assistant coaches are Steve Kerr from the Golden State Warriors, Lloyd Pierce from the Atlanta Hawks, and Jay Wright from Villanova.
However, that’s all subject to the schedule.
This summer’s Olympics were to begin July 24, which typically is part of the NBA offseason. When the International Olympic Committee announced the postponement of this summer’s games on Tuesday, a decision made because of the global coronavirus pandemic, it said the delay would last “no more than one year.”
The phrasing appears to hint at the potential of an Olympics held earlier than usual. Additionally, if the Tokyo Games take place in April, May, or June, it could result in significant changes to the U.S. plans.
Colangelo expressed optimism that the event would occur in the same timeframe next summer as previously planned for this summer. He acknowledged that many factors, outside of their control, must be addressed first. He stated that they were not leading the process but instead, were working with various organizations including the NBA, FIBA, the USOC, and the International Olympic Committee among others. The next step, he said, is waiting for the dates to be confirmed. Once that happens, they will be able to proceed.
USA Basketball intended to select the 12-man roster for the Tokyo Olympics in June, with 44 players being considered. If the schedule permits NBA players to participate in 2021, it is likely that most, if not all, of these players will be on the list next year.
“Colangelo stated, “These are peculiar times. However, when the bell rings, we’ll prepare ourselves.”
