Staff USA secured the gold medal in males’s Olympic basketball. They overcame France in a hard-fought 98-87 victory on Saturday. Whereas elite abilities akin to Nikola Jokic, LeBron James and Stephen Curry have been undoubtedly stars of the event, some former NBA gamers loved robust showings, probably incomes themselves one other shot within the league.
Listed below are three former NBA abilities to impress through the Olympics.
1. Guerschon Yabusele – France
Guerschon Yabusele was final seen within the NBA in 2019, where he played for the Boston Celtics. Since leaving the US, he has constructed a profession in Spain, enjoying for European powerhouse Actual Madrid. Yabusele was one of the vital impactful gamers of your complete event, serving to France attain the finals.
In six video games, Yabusele averaged 14 factors, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists whereas taking pictures 52% from the sector and 29% from three-point vary. His protection was additionally spectacular, utilizing his dimension and lateral quickness to offer stability throughout the low helpline. After his robust displaying, it would not be a shock if he landed a take care of an NBA workforce forward of the brand new season.
2. Carlik Jones – South Sudan
South Sudan performed with depth, athleticism and delight throughout its brief tenure in Paris. Former NBA guard Carlik Jones, who final performed for the Chicago Bulls in 2023, was a standout performer through the group levels.
Jones averaged 18 factors, 5 rebounds and seven.7 assists per recreation whereas taking pictures 46% from the sector and 27% from deep over a three-game span. Sadly for Jones, that manufacturing could also be based mostly on too small a pattern dimension for an NBA workforce to return knocking. He ought to, nevertheless, count on some scouts within the stands over the subsequent 12 months.
3. Bruno Caboclo – Brazil
Bruno Caboclo spent seven years within the NBA earlier than bouncing out of the league in 2021. He has performed for the Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets, failing to discover a dwelling in any of these stops. Nonetheless, his performances for Brazil could entice some entrance workplaces to take one other take a look at the gifted ahead.
Caboclo represented Brazil 4 occasions whereas in Paris, averaging 17.3 factors and 7 rebounds per outing. He shot 59% from the sector and 55% from three-point vary, proving that he might match with an NBA workforce as a possible three-and-D wing.
