Kevin Durant Eyes 2028 Olympic Return Despite Approaching 40

Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant may be nearing 40 when the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics tip off, but the veteran superstar has made it clear he is not ready to close the door on Team USA.

Speaking Monday night after scoring 18 points in Houston’s 125-105 victory over the Utah Jazz, Durant revealed he has already expressed his interest in returning to international competition. He said he told USA Basketball Managing Director Grant Hill that he would like to remain in consideration for the U.S. men’s team.

“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. “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 represented the United States in the last four Olympic Games, becoming the country’s all-time leading scorer in men’s Olympic basketball along the way. At the 2024 Paris Games, he made history as the first American man to win four Olympic gold medals in basketball.

Despite that decorated résumé, Durant insists he does not expect any special treatment as the next Olympic cycle approaches.

“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.”

While matching the five gold medals won by U.S. women’s basketball legends Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird would cement his legacy even further, Durant said that milestone is not driving his ambition.

“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.

Now in his 18th NBA season, Durant is averaging 25.9 points per game on 50.7% shooting, underlining that age has yet to dull his scoring touch and perhaps keeping his Olympic dream alive.