The San Antonio Spurs and the Paris Olympics

The Olympic opening ceremony kicked off yesterday. Immediately the preliminary basketball spherical begins.

There are three teams aptly named Group A, Group B, and Group C. Every group is made up of 4 groups. And on every staff are one of the best of one of the best from their respective nations.

And a number of the finest nationwide gamers have as soon as been or are at present members of the San Antonio Spurs.

Group B- France

The way forward for basketball is within the arms of Victor Wembanyama. He’s arguably destined to be the best participant the sport has ever recognized. I communicate from the purpose of objectivity restricted to a die laborious and religious Spurs fan.

One other member of the French nationwide staff is Nando de Colo, who was drafted in 2009 53rd by the San Antonio Spurs. He performed with the Silver & Black till 2014 when he was traded to the Toronto Raptors.

Group A- Australia

Two former Spurs at present grace the Boomers. Former fan favourite Patty Mills, who was with the Spurs from 2012 to 2021 (together with their 2014 NBA title season) and Jock Landale who spent the 2021-2022 season with the Silver & Black.

Group A- Canada

The Canadian squad is teeming with NBA expertise. From Shai Gilgious-Alxander and his cousin Nickell Akexander-Walker to Dillon Brooks and Luegentz Dort. As well as, Trey Lyles, who performed for the Spurs from 2019-2021. Khem Birch, who was traded to the Spurs in 2023, spent most of his time injured, however did seem in a single preseason sport earlier than being waived.

Group A- Spain

Juancho Hernangomez performed in 5 video games with the Spurs. He was traded to San Antonio on January 19, 2022 in a three-team commerce involving the Denver Nuggets and the Boston Celtics. He was despatched to the Jazz three weeks later in one other three-team commerce, this time with Utah and the Portland Path Blazers.

The Spanish nationwide staff additionally options one of many Spurs most up-to-date draftees, Juan Nunez who was chosen thirty sixth total by the Indiana Pacers however traded to the Spurs for the Johnny Furphy, the thirty fifth decide within the draft,

Group C- Serbia

This one might be finest thought-about an honorable point out, however Nikola Milutinov was drafted by Spurs twenty sixth in 2015. He didn’t even take part in Summer time League as he was taking part in with the Serbian nationwide staff that yr as properly. He by no means made it to the NBA, however nonetheless stays in Spurs lore.

Group C- United States

It might be remise to not point out one other Spurs fan favourite (and up to date NBA champion) Derrick White, who was delivered to Group USA late as he was changing one other former Spurs participant – Kawhi Leonard.

Now, these are simply the groups who’ve certified for the competitors. However this summer season, our personal Jeremy Sochan was taking part in with the Polish nationwide staff in hopes of creating it to the Olympics.

Sandro Mamukelashvili was additionally concerned within the preliminary qualifying spherical with the Georgia nationwide staff.

Cedi Osman, a member of the Turkish nationwide staff, performed with there Spurs final season.

And so long as we’re speaking Olympics, it’s truthful to say that Gregg Popovich was head coach of the 2020 Olympic squad and Keldon Johnson was a member of that Gold Medal staff.

The Spurs have been the primary NBA staff to hunt out expertise on the worldwide degree, extending the league’s attain and forcing everybody else to observe swimsuit. Their staff boasts a bevy of nationwide treasures.

Moreover, the Spurs legend has performed a visual function within the 2024 Olympics. Contemplating his impression on the game of basketball and his house nation of France, it stands to purpose that he could be forged into the limelight all through these ceremonies and video games.

The video games begin immediately and run via August eleventh.

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