USA Basketball hopes that the postponed Tokyo Olympics will take place next year, roughly during the same period as it was initially planned for this year.
Otherwise, coaches and players could face an even tougher situation than the already complicated one.
> IOC officially postpones Tokyo Olympics
On Tuesday, Jerry Colangelo, the managing director of USA Basketball, announced he has “hit the pause button” on preparations for the next Olympics. Colangelo stated that, as of now, all he can do is wait to find out the exact dates for the Tokyo games in 2021 and whether the new schedule will clash with the NBA schedule.
“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 retaining his position until 2021. The coaching staff is likewise committed, with U.S. coach Gregg Popovich from the San Antonio Spurs serving as the head coach. His assistants include Steve Kerr from the Golden State Warriors, Lloyd Pierce from the Atlanta Hawks, and Jay Wright from Villanova.
However, that’s only possible if the schedule allows.
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 for an earlier-than-normal Olympics. Should the Tokyo Games take place in April, May, or June, the U.S. may have to significantly alter its plans.
“We’re optimistic that this event will occur next summer during the same period it was supposed to this summer,” stated Colangelo. “Several factors that we have no control over need to be addressed. We are not in the driver’s seat in this situation. We’re working with the NBA, FIBA, the USOC, the International Olympic Committee, and others. Now, we are waiting for the dates to be set. As soon as they are, we will move forward with our plans,” he added.
USA Basketball intended to select the 12-man team for the Tokyo Olympics in June. With 44 players being considered, it is assumed that, given the schedule, most, if not all of these players who are part of the NBA, will likely be included in the 2021 list, provided they can participate.
“We are living in extraordinary times,” said Colangelo. “But, we will prepare ourselves when the time comes.”
