USA Basketball meticulously analyzed its men’s basketball performance spanning two decades, identifying a consistent trend: defensive lapses lead to trouble for the Americans. Keeping this in mind, the team for the Paris Olympics was meticulously constructed.

Comprising LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Edwards, and Kawhi Leonard, the U.S. Olympic team boasts nearly 200,000 NBA points, 84 All-Star Game selections, and 10 Olympic gold medals.

Grant Hill, USA Basketball’s managing director, emphasized the priority placed on defense: “You want obviously talented individuals, but you want players who can blend and fit into certain roles, especially those capable of locking down opponents.”

The strategy is straightforward: scoring is expected to flow effortlessly, and with a robust defense, the Americans aim for a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

The roster boasts seven players with prior gold medals, led by Durant with three and James with two. Collectively, the 12 players averaged 24.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 5.6 assists this season, shooting 39% from beyond the arc.

Bam Adebayo expressed his pride in being part of the selected group: “To be in that room as part of those 12 players… it takes it to a different level.”

The sheer talent on the U.S. roster is remarkable. Seven players finished among the NBA’s top 15 scorers per game this season, with James and Curry holding all-time records in scoring and 3-pointers, respectively. Additionally, Haliburton claimed the assist-per-game title this season, and 10 players were All-Stars.

“The goal is clear: to win the gold,” emphasized Hill. “They’re fully aware of that.”

The announcement on Wednesday coincided with the U.S. Olympic summit in New York, marking the start of a 100-day countdown to the Paris opening ceremony. USA Basketball opted not to delay the announcement, foreseeing immense interest in the journey ahead.

Ranked No. 1 by FIBA, despite recent World Cup setbacks, the U.S. team aims to reclaim dominance after securing gold in Tokyo. While formidable opponents like France, Germany, Serbia, and Canada await, the American roster boasts unparalleled NBA talent.

Kelly Olynyk of Canada remarked, “Your hope is that they haven’t played together before, other than the 12 last All-Star games.”

Hill spearheaded the 18-month process of assembling the roster, ensuring its completion well ahead of the Las Vegas training camp in July. Players received their jerseys during recent visits by USA Basketball officials or at team practices.

U.S. coach Steve Kerr emphasized the focus on defense, acknowledging past shortcomings: “The common theme, when we’ve lost, was our defense wasn’t good enough. We’re going to score points, but the international game demands physicality, and we’ve addressed that.”

Durant has expressed his intention to play, aiming to make history as the first men’s player to earn four basketball gold medals. Currently, only Durant and Carmelo Anthony have three Olympic golds, while six American women have achieved at least four golds. Notably, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi each possess five, while Teresa Edwards, Tamika Catchings, Sylvia Fowles, and Lisa Leslie have four.

Seeking his fourth medal, LeBron James aims to add to his bronze from 2004 and golds from 2008 and 2012. Joining him are past gold medalists Anthony Davis (2012), Bam Adebayo, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, and Jrue Holiday, who secured their golds in 2020, albeit awarded in 2021 due to the pandemic-induced postponement of the Tokyo Games.

Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard, and Joel Embiid will make their Olympic debuts. Embiid, who became a U.S. citizen last year, opted to represent the U.S. despite eligibility to play for France.

First-time Olympians Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards complete the roster, both having represented the U.S. in the World Cup last year.

With over 40 players considered for selection, finalizing the roster was a challenging task. Kerr acknowledged the heightened anticipation surrounding the Paris Games, making decisions even tougher.

Durant and Curry confirmed their desire to play this summer back in October, with Adebayo also expressing his commitment to the team at that time. It’s widely assumed that if players like James express interest, they’ll make the roster.

The U.S. men’s basketball team has a remarkable record at the Olympics, participating 19 times and claiming 19 medals — 16 gold, one silver, and two bronze.

Coached by Kerr and assisted by Spoelstra, Lue, and Few, the Paris team’s lineup may still undergo changes before the summer. Injuries or extended NBA playoff runs could alter players’ commitments, but USA Basketball has contingency plans in place for such scenarios.