Alex Caruso invited to Team USA's player pool for the Paris Summer Olympics

If Team USA needs a defense-first guy, Caruso’s their man.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

USA Basketball has made the first step in its bid to retain the gold medal in the men’s basketball competition of the 2024 Paris Olympics, as they announced on Tuesday, the members of the player pool for the team. One of the standout names on the list is Chicago Bulls ace Alex Caruso, an underrated guard known for his relentless defense and all-around play.

Caught the attention of USA Basketball

Caruso is a six-year pro out of Texas A&M who has caught the attention of USA Basketball’s managing director Grant Hill largely due to his work on the defensive end. Caruso was named to the NBA’s All-Defense First Team last season, and he has carried that momentum over to this season, where he’s averaging 9.9 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.

The 6-foot-5 guard also makes 42 percent of his three-pointers, an impressive mark for a player known more for his defensive prowess. Caruso’s all-around game and high basketball IQ make him a valuable asset to any team, and it’s no surprise that he’s on this list composed of the NBA’s most prominent and brightest stars.

AC named to Team USA’s player pool 🇺🇸

@ACFresh21 x #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/COcFewocLg

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 23, 2024

Tough cut

In a pool with LeBron James, Steph Curry, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid, it’s hard to envision Caruso making the final 12. However, if the team needs a player who can defend multiple positions and knock down open shots, Caruso may have a chance to secure a spot.

“The United States boasts unbelievable basketball talent and I am thrilled that many of the game’s superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games,” Hill said.

“It is a privilege to select the team that will help us toward the goal of once again standing atop the Olympic podium. This challenging process will unfold over the next several months as we eagerly anticipate the start of national team activity."

Team USA is slated to have its training camp in Las Vegas before participating in a tune-up game against Canada at the T-Mobile Arena on July 10. The Canadians edged out the Americans for the bronze medal in the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines. The Paris Olympics is scheduled to take place from July 26th to August 11th.

Let’s see AC return to Paris with Team USA 🇺🇸 https://t.co/aN7tEcWBnD pic.twitter.com/nYwwCq6nQw

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 24, 2024

Report predicts the Chicago Bulls will do nothing at the trade deadline