The most popular players in the world headed to Olympics

PARIS (France) - The Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive ever. It could be the best of all time.

It's definitely going to have star power, with so many indicators confirming this to be true. The NBA is arguably the best league in the world and selling jerseys is also directly linked to the popularity of the players. And right now, at least six of the eight players with the top-selling NBA jerseys will be strutting at some point down the Champs-Élysées.

Here are the world famous, incredibly popular players that we know are going to be hitting the hardwood in France.

No. 1 Steph Curry, USA

Curry dazzled for the USA at the 2014 World Cup in Spain

Steph Curry, whose Golden State Warriors jersey is sold more than any other, is going to finally make a splash with the USA. It'll be the first time the two-time FIBA Basketball World Cup winner Curry, aka the "baby-faced assassin" shoots down opponents on the Olympic stage.

2. LeBron James, USA

James celebrated after the USA's Redeem Team triumph in Beijing

The King returns to his royal court.

James led the Redeem Team to gold in 2008 and fired the USA again to the top of the podium in 2012 in London. Don't sound the alarm, however. The Crown Jewels are still safe and sound and at the Tower of London. This will be his fourth Olympics since James also played in 2004, when the Americans finished third in Athens. He also participated in the World Cup 2006.

3. Jayson Tatum, USA

Tatum, who averaged 15.2 points per game for the USA in Tokyo, is coming back for more

The No. 3 best selling NBA jersey is worn by USA star Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics. Tatum could one day go down as the most decorated of USA players considering the three titles - two of them world championships - he won at youth level and the Olympic gold he already owns after competing with the Americans in Tokyo three years ago.

4. Victor Wembanyama, France

 Wembanyama represented France in the European Qualifiers for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023

Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio jersey is the fourth best-seller and it's been in his rookie season. The player that the world can't wait to see in a major international event is poised to make his Olympic bow for France in his own country! It doesn't get much better than that. Wemby's stats with the San Antonio Spurs weren't bad at all. He is averaging a jaw-dropping 21.4 points and 10.6 rebounds.

 7. Devin Booker, USA

Booker made his Olympic bow in Tokyo and helped the USA capture gold

The Phoenix Suns sharpshooter's middle name is Armani, which says a lot about his game. He has both style, and substance, not to mention experience. Booker was in the USA team that captured gold in Tokyo and is going for a top of the podium finish again. Devin also rhymes with heaven, which is where USA's players are going to be if they capture a fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

8. Kevin Durant, USA

 Durant wearing the American flag after claiming his third Olympic gold medal in a row, in Tokyo

Can we just agree to call the Phoenix Suns superstar Captain America? Has there ever been a more clutch player for the USA than Durant, who followed up his MVP performance at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2010 with three dynamic and high-scoring performances for the USA in London, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo?

Do not be surprised when it's all said and done if Durant, LeBron, Steph, Tatum and Booker are posing for photos at the Arc de Triomphe.

There are more!

But then again, maybe this is where Luka Doncic, who has the sixth best-selling NBA jersey, shows up and spoils the party for the Americans if he leads Slovenia to victory at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament Greece and makes it to Paris. We could say the same thing about Giannis Antetokounmpo, whose jersey is the fifth best seller. The Greek freak will be attempting to get Greece to the Olympics for the first time since 2008 in Beijing.

Of course, we'd be remiss not to mention the player with the 13th best selling jersey, the Joker.

Nikola Jokic made a seismic impact in 2016 as the MVP of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgrade before leading Serbia all the way to the Gold Medal Game in Brazil. Imagine the possibilities for Serbia if Jokic is in tow. Even without him, remember that Serbia went on a surprising run to the World Cup Final in Manila last year to qualify for the Olympics.

FIBA