Workforce USA secured the gold medal in males’s Olympic basketball. They overcame France in a hard-fought 98-87 victory on Saturday. Whereas elite skills comparable to Nikola Jokic, LeBron James and Stephen Curry had been undoubtedly stars of the event, some former NBA gamers loved sturdy showings, probably incomes themselves one other shot within the league.
Listed below are three former NBA skills 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, taking part in for European powerhouse Actual Madrid. Yabusele was some of the impactful gamers of the 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 supply stability throughout the low helpline. After his sturdy exhibiting, it would not be a shock if he landed a take care of an NBA group forward of the brand new season.
2. Carlik Jones – South Sudan
South Sudan performed with depth, athleticism and satisfaction 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 phases.
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 group to come back 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 house in any of these stops. Nevertheless, his performances for Brazil might entice some entrance workplaces to take one other have a look at the proficient ahead.
Caboclo represented Brazil 4 instances 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 group as a possible three-and-D wing.