Olympic Preview: The 12 ‘top’ debutants from Paris

In an Olympic event, there are many players who will repeat their experience with their respective teams, such as the rare case of Rudy Fernández, who is the most special case of all because he will be playing in his sixth Olympic Games. However, apart from repeaters, many players will experience in Paris what it’s like to play in an Olympic tournament for the first time. Of the twelve contestants, one from each team, these are the most notable debutants:

Josh Giddey, 21 years old, 2’03, point guard

Australia (Chicago Bulls)

Despite having made his Australian debut in FIBA​​​​​​basketball, the new Chicago Bulls point guard is one of the ‘boomers’ to debut at the Games. Giddey is a player who has the privilege of reading the game and has the ability to influence the game in a variety of ways, despite being a great outside threat.

2

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 25 years old, 1’98, point guard

Canada (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Canada hasn’t participated in a Games since 2000, so, after all, its entire team is debutants. However, the group already has FIBA​​​​experience (bronze in the 2023 World Cup) and is led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Thunder point guard is coming off an MVP-caliber season and will face his first Olympic appearance as one of the tournament’s biggest stars. Talent and offensive arsenal needed, and with it Canada is a medal contender.

3

Bruno Caboclo, 28 years old, 2’06, forward

Brazil (KK Partizan)

The Brazilian team had to pass the Pre-Olympic phase to get to Paris, and one of the big reasons for its classification was Bruno Caboclo, who was the MVP of the tournament. Despite having experience in FIBA ​​tournaments, the forward will be playing in his first Olympics. Exceptional athlete, great motor and great ability to add. Euroleague level player for coach Aleksandar Petrovic.

4

Victor Wembanyama, 20 years old, 2’24, power forward

France (San Antonio Spurs)

Undoubtedly, the great attraction of the tournament. The French extraterrestrial will not only make his Olympic debut, but will also play his first FIBA​​​​ tournament with the senior ‘bleu’ team. Wembanyama is France’s big hope to win a medal and aims to be one of the most differential players in the tournament at the age of 20. He has already proven himself capable of dominating the NBA, and now he has to shine in a showcase as important as the Games. A generational talent in the body of a giant.

5

Franz Wagner, 22 years old, 2’08, forward

Germany (Orlando Magic)

The Magic player has emerged as one of the great stars of FIBA ​​​​​​basketball with the gold won by the German team in the previous World Cup. In Paris, for Franz Wagner it will be his first presence at the Games (and also of Schröder) and he will do so by becoming one of the references of the group at the age of 22. After a very fruitful year in Orlando ( including the contract extension), Wagner aims to be one of the best players in this Olympic event.

6

Giannis Antetokounmpo, 29 years old, 2’11, power forward

Greece (Milwaukee Bucks)

Needless to say, Giannis will be one of the visible faces of the tournament. The flagship of the Bucks will enjoy its first experience at the Games and will make it the undisputed reference of the team led by Spanoulis. Key to the classification of the Greek team through Pre-Olympic, Antetokounmpo is more than enough argument for Greece to fight for the podium.

7

Yuki Kawamura, 23 years old, 1’72, point guard

Japan (Memphis Grizzlies)

The Japanese point guard was one of the players who impressed the public at the last World Cup, and he did so despite his short stature. Kawamura surprised with his speed and creativity and has already established himself as one of the references for Tom Hovasse’s team and Japanese basketball. Along with players like Hawkinson and Tominaga, Kawamura is one of the Japanese to debut at the Olympics. He recently signed a non-guaranteed NBA contract with Memphis.

8

José Alvarado, 26 years old, 1’83, base

Puerto Rico (New Orleans Pelicans)

The Puerto Rican point guard, like the rest of the national team, will experience for the first time what it’s like to play in the Games. Alvarado will do so as the main reference of a team that won the ticket to Paris in the Pre-Olympic against Lithuania, where he was named MVP of the tournament. In a group with the USA and Serbia, the Pelicans will look to make a splash.

9

Nikola Jovic, 21 years old, 2’08, power forward

Serbia (Miami Heat)

The Miami player has physical problems, but in principle his presence in his first Games should not be in danger. Jovic had a remarkable performance with the national team at the last World Cup and aims to be one of the key components in Svetislav Pesic’s rotation in Paris.

10

Carlik Jones, 26 years old, 1’83, point guard

South Sudan (Zhejiang Golden Bulls)

The American point guard was one of the great references for South Sudan in the last World Cup, where he was one of the top scorers of the tournament. With the African team’s first appearance at a Games in its entire history, if there was anyone in charge of providing the threat, it was Carlik Jones. Pure and tough scorer.

Eleven

Santi Aldama, 23 years old, 2’13, power forward

Spain (Memphis Grizzlies)

From Scariolo’s list, Aldama aims to be one of the most relevant debutants in the squad. The one from the Grizzlies has already shown at the last World Cup to fit well in different contexts and can help improve Spain’s offensive spacing. In Paris and the subsequent calls, the role of the Gran Canarian seems to be important.

12

Stephen Curry, 36 years old, 1’88, point guard

United States (Golden State Warriors)

In the case of Team USA, there is no debate here. The most relevant debutant at the Olympics for the amazing American team is the best shooter in NBA history. The Warriors superstar, now approaching the final years of his career, will enjoy his first experience at the Paris Games as one of Steve Kerr’s team leaders. The goal is clear: to achieve the Olympic gold that is still missing from his record.