Hawks’ Trae Young offers a one-word reply to Lakers’ LeBron James
Both the men’s and women’s Team USA squads secured Olympic gold in 5×5 basketball.
Despite not being included on the roster, Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young expressed his admiration for the performance of his fellow countrymen.
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James shared a Nike clip showcasing the women’s team’s dominance, highlighting their 61-game winning streak and basketball legend Diana Taurasi’s comment that other teams are “competing for second place.” James praised the clip on X (formerly Twitter) on August 12, exclaiming, “It is very inspiring RIGHT!?!?!”
Young responded with a simple “Very” in the comments, amidst a flood of queries about his interaction with a young fan in Paris.
On the court, both the men’s and women’s teams finished their tournaments with dramatic victories. The men’s team, trailing Serbia through three quarters, surged in the final period with a 32-15 fourth quarter to secure the win.
The women’s team, initially tied with France at halftime and leading by two points entering the final quarter, had to fend off a determined French team. Gabby Williams, who scored a team-high 19 points, missed a last-second shot that wasn’t enough to overcome Team USA’s lead. Williams and her teammates, along with those not supporting Team USA, were visibly disappointed.
For the men’s team, the games provided memorable moments, including an emotional postgame embrace between James and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, along with Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant. Curry led with 36 points against Serbia. This was likely the final Olympic appearance for these veterans in their mid-to-late 30s.
The women’s team achieved their eighth consecutive gold medal, largely thanks to A’ja Wilson’s game-high 21 points. Wilson was later asked about Kahleah Copper, who played a crucial role in the victory.
Looking ahead, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles promise even greater excitement. With Trae Young residing in LA, there is hope that he could be part of Team USA in 2028. Young has expressed a strong desire to play, and improving his decision-making and ball distribution could enhance his chances. The Hawks will rely more on Young in the 2024-25 season, especially with the departure of Dejounte Murray. The hope is that Jalen Johnson will step up to share some of the load.
If Young doesn’t make the team or if the Hawks struggle, their chances for both the 2028 Olympics and the 2024-25 playoffs could be in jeopardy.
