76ers star viewed as future of Team USA by retired NBA forward | Sporting News

76ers star viewed as future of Team USA by retired NBA forward | Sporting News

August 12, 2024

Joel Embiid made history as the first Philadelphia 76ers player to win a gold medal with Team USA, doing so at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, with other options on the table for Embiid, guard Tyrese Maxey could represent Philadelphia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Maxey, the 23-year-old, is anticipated to be one of the league’s top guards by then. 

16-year NBA forward C.J. Miles took it a step further, calling for Maxey to potentially be handed the keys for the United States.

“As far as the future, Team USA is in great hands. Ant [Edwards], [Tyrese] Haliburton, [Jayson] Tatum. And the guys on this team playing small roles like [Devin] Booker and Bam [Adebayo] are capable of doing incredible things also,” the retired forward explained to NBA reporter Alex Kennedy. “And there are guys who will rise up in the next couple of years who are more than capable of being handed the keys. I myself can’t wait to see Tyrese Maxey go [play in the Olympics].”

With LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant likely making their final appearances on the international stage, unreplaceable voids are created in the lineup. While the Sixers star point guard cannot live up to those all-time greats, he’s one of the most intriguing options to fill a roster spot.

In just his fourth season, Maxey earned the Most Improved Player award while appearing in his first All-Star game. Given another four years at the helm of one of the NBA’s top offenses, he is a no-brainer to represent Team USA.

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