Kevin Durant says he wants to play for U.S. men's basketball team at 2028 Olympics in LA

HOUSTON (AP) — Rockets forward Kevin Durant will be less than two months shy of his 40th birthday when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begin, but he said Monday night he told USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill he’d like to be considered for the U.S. men’s team when the time comes.

“I didn’t want to just take my name out of consideration just because of the simple fact that I’m older and I did it before,” Durant said after scoring 18 points for Houston in a 125-105 win over the Utah Jazz. “Grant understands my love for Team USA. That’s my family. The level of love I have for Team USA and the whole organization over there is unmatched, so I’d love to be part of it until I’m done playing.”

Durant has played in the last four Olympics, becoming USA men’s basketball’s career scoring leader in the process, but he says he doesn’t want to just be handed a spot on the 2028 team. He wants to earn it.

“I understand how tough that decision is for Grant, and how many great players are going to emerge the next year and a half, and I’m also very old compared to a lot of these players,” Durant said. “I know I've got my work cut out for me to make that team.”

During the 2024 Paris games, Durant became the first American player to win four Olympic gold medals in men’s basketball. United States stars Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird won five gold medals in women’s basketball, but Durant says joining that club is not his motivation for wanting to go through another Olympic cycle.

“I just love playing for Team USA. I love representing my country. That’s the first and most important thing — it’s putting that USA across my chest and representing where I come from,” he said.

Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.7% shooting in his 18th NBA season.

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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) controls the ball against Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) shoots against Charlotte Hornets guard Tre Mann during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks to shoot against Charlotte Hornets guard Sion James (4) and center PJ Hall (16) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after scoring a 3-point goal during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 24, 2026--

Cubans from across the United States gathered today in Washington, D.C., outside the Delegation of the European Union, to denounce the EU’s complicity in financing Cuba’s communist state. Protesters held signs reading, “EU, don’t fund the dictatorship,” “Democracies should not fund dictatorships,” and “This march would get me killed in Cuba.”

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260223106922/en/

The demonstration featured leading Cuban opposition groups including the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and Cuban Freedom March along with former Cuban political prisoners, Veterans of the Bay of Pigs, Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud, Miss Universe Cuba 2025 Lina Luaces, and television personality Lili Estefan.

Speakers at the rally criticized the Castro regime’s human rights record, highlighting the Cuban state’s sending of mercenaries to support Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. This follows an unprecedented move in late January by the European Parliament to approve an amendment calling for the revision and suspension of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) that since 2017 governs the relationship between the European Union (EU) and the Cuban regime. The approved amendment calls on the European Commission to ‘use all available instruments, without excluding any’, to ensure compliance with democratic and human rights standards on the island.

“The reality is that millions of euros supposedly going to ‘sustainability programs’ actually go into the hands of those closest to the regime who use it for further repression and their own projects and benefit,” said Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, spokesperson for the Cuban Democratic Directorate and a member of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance.

The demonstration comes amid escalating tensions on the island. Reports this week alleged that approximately 10 political prisoners died in custody after protesting the death of a 19-year-old inmate who was found hanging in his cell following weeks of complaints about food shortages and lack of medical care. These claims have intensified criticism of the Cuban state’s repressive apparatus, prison conditions and treatment of dissidents.

In Washington, the administration of Donald Trump has maintained pressure on Havana through strengthened sanctions and restrictions on oil shipments to the island. Protest organizers contrasted that approach with policies in parts of Europe, particularly Spain.

In July 2025, Spain approved a debt restructuring mechanism aimed at forgiving part of Cuba’s debt in order to reinvest in electricity infrastructure and food security projects. The initiative forms part of a broader agreement linked to negotiations with the Paris Club.

Under the so-called “Debt Conversion Program,” Spain planned to forgive and redirect approximately €375 million toward sustainable development projects. However, new developments have complicated the picture. On February 21, 2026, Spanish-language media outlet Infobae revealed that more than 150 Spanish companies, most of them small and medium-sized enterprises, formally requested extraordinary financial support from the Spanish government for roughly €255 million in unpaid debts owed by the Cuban state. Several of these firms have reportedly entered bankruptcy proceedings due to prolonged non-payment.

The protest underscores the belief that the corruption and violent nature attributed to Cuba’s communist government make it a highly volatile and risky partner for the European Union.

“Continued financial engagement and debt-relief directed toward the regime ultimately strengthen state institutions accused of repression, rather than benefiting the Cuban people,” continued Gutierrez-Boronat. “The message of protestors was clear – financing initiatives directed through the current system risks perpetuating political repression and deepening the suffering of ordinary citizens.”

About the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance

The Assembly of the Cuban Resistance is a parliament in exile, comprised of a host of non-governmental organizations working together to bring freedom to the oppressed people of Cuba.

Cubans from across the United States gathered yesterday in Washington, D.C., outside the Delegation of the European Union, to denounce the EU’s role in financing Cuba’s communist state. The demonstration featured leading Cuban opposition groups including the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and Cuban Freedom March along with former Cuban political prisoners, Veterans of the Bay of Pigs, Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud, Miss Universe Cuba 2025 Lina Luaces, and television personality Lili Estefan. Photo: Assembly of the Cuban Resistance.

Cubans from across the United States gathered yesterday in Washington, D.C., outside the Delegation of the European Union, to denounce the EU’s role in financing Cuba’s communist state. The demonstration featured leading Cuban opposition groups including the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and Cuban Freedom March along with former Cuban political prisoners, Veterans of the Bay of Pigs, Florida State Senator Alexis Calatayud, Miss Universe Cuba 2025 Lina Luaces, and television personality Lili Estefan. Photo: Assembly of the Cuban Resistance.