Kerr Calls Spoelstra a “Great Choice” to Lead Team USA
kerr-calls-spoelstra-great-choice-to-lead-team-usa
MIAMI — Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Wednesday night that Erik Spoelstra was the “great choice” to take over the U.S. men’s national basketball team, insisting the Miami Heat coach has long been prepared for the international stage.
“He’s one of the great coaches of all time,” Kerr told reporters before the Warriors faced the Heat. “He understands FIBA, the difference between coaching a team for seven weeks and coaching one for nine months. He’s going to be great.”
Spoelstra was named head coach of Team USA last month and will guide the Americans at the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha, Qatar, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He served on Kerr’s staff at the 2023 World Cup, where the United States finished fourth in Manila, and at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the team won gold.
The United States begins its 12-game qualifying schedule for the 2027 World Cup this weekend. A 12-player roster will practice at the University of Miami before traveling to Nicaragua for the Nov. 28 opener. Qualifying runs through March 2027.
Spoelstra said he has not yet consulted Kerr about the transition from NBA coaching to FIBA competition but plans to do so. “I’m incredibly grateful for having that opportunity to be on his staff for the last two summers,” Spoelstra said. “It was Basketball 101. We all grew from it. It’s the same four lines and two baskets, but it’s a different sport, FIBA.”
The U.S. men have captured the last five Olympic gold medals. Spoelstra watched the pressure firsthand in Paris, where the Americans erased a double-digit deficit against Serbia in the semifinals and edged France for gold behind a standout performance from Stephen Curry. As “The Star-Spangled Banner” played after the win, Kerr turned to Spoelstra and said, “Good luck.”
Spoelstra praised Kerr’s leadership during that run. “He managed everything beautifully—handling expectations, getting the team to peak at the right time, and guiding us through adversity,” Spoelstra noted. “That experience is something I’ll never forget.”
Source: ESPN
