Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr could lead Team USA into Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, according to a report Thursday morning.
Kerr is a favorite to succeed San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich as the head coach of the USA Basketball senior men’s national team, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. A decision could be made before the NBA season begins, the report said, “with prior international experience said to be a key requirement.”
Kerr is a two-time champion on the international stage, most recently as an assistant on Popovich’s staff at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. He also took home gold as a player in the 1986 FIBA World Championships.
Asked about the possibility of succeeding Popovich in an interview with The Athletic this summer, Kerr said “Of course I’d be interested. I mean, who wouldn’t be?”
Beginning his eighth season with the Warriors, at media day Monday, Kerr described Tokyo as an “amazing experience,” but expressed remorse for the sacrifices the Japanese made to host the game during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was really, really fun to be a part of the Gold Medal winning team,” Kerr said. “Coaching all the players, coaching Kevin (Durant) and Draymond (Green) again, getting to know all the other guys on the team, and then coaching with Pop, who has become a real mentor for me and one of my best friends, along with the rest of an amazing staff. It was a phenomenal experience.”
In addition to Popovich, Kerr coached alongside Indiana’s Lloyd Pierce, Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, Boston’s Ime Udoka, San Antonio’s Will Hardy and Villanova’s Jay Wright on the 2020 Olympic staff. Spoelstra was reported to be another finalist to be Popovich’s successor.
“I think part of being on the Olympic staff was seeing how other people do it,” Kerr said. “The whole group that was there in Japan. It was a pretty incredible experience and I will definitely draw on that this upcoming season.”
Kerr is scheduled to address the media for the first time since publicly emerging as the favorite for the position following practice Thursday afternoon. Check back for updates.