MIES (Switzerland) - Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal has made a bold prediction: Team USA’s reign of dominance in Olympic basketball will come to an end at the Los Angeles 2028 Games. In a recent interview with Dirk Schlickmann of Sport Bild, O’Neal expressed his belief that the gap between Team USA and the rest of the world has significantly narrowed.
Europe will soon overtake the USA - Shaq
"Twenty years ago, the USA was light years ahead of other countries. But that has changed," O'Neal said. "Europe has caught up and is only slightly behind, but it will soon overtake the USA. I am sure that the USA will not win gold at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles."
O'Neal spoke from experience, having seen both the golden eras of Team USA as well as the rise of international competition. He pointed to the looming retirement of key players as a critical factor.
"LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry will no longer play. Joel Embiid probably won't be there either. When those names are gone, the supremacy will be over," O'Neal explained. "The European teams are really good: Croatia, Serbia, even Germany. They can win gold in 2028."
Is Team USA's Era Truly Coming to an End?
O'Neal's comments come at an intriguing time for USA Basketball. Just this past summer, Team USA claimed its fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Games. However, the road to the title was anything but smooth.
In the semifinals against Serbia, led by Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic, the Americans found themselves down by 13 points heading into the fourth quarter. A heroic performance by the trio of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry sparked a dramatic comeback, clinching a narrow 95-91 victory. Curry then delivered an unforgettable clutch performance in the Gold Medal Game, steering Team USA to a 98-87 win over host nation France.
While the Paris triumph reaffirmed Team USA's supremacy, it may also have marked the final Olympic appearance for both James and Curry. Durant, who will be 39 by the time the 2028 Games arrive, has yet to decide on his participation.
FIBA