NBA Legend Predicts Team USA Can’t Win Gold at 2028 Olympics as Global Rivals Rise: Is Their Dominance Coming to an End?

A bold prediction by Olympic bronze medalist Richard Jefferson has ignited debate in the basketball community, as he claims Team USA won’t win gold at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

With Team USA historically dominant, Richard Jefferson’s comments highlight growing concerns about aging superstars, international parity, and the evolution of global basketball talent.“The US will not win gold in LA in three years,” Richard Jefferson said on the Road Trippin’ podcast. “It took our greatest players just to beat teams with barely any All-Stars—like Serbia and France. Without KD, LeBron, Embiid—the Avengers—we wouldn’t have won gold.”Richard Jefferson’s statement follows a similar forecast from NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, who pointed to the increasing strength of European teams and the aging of American stars.“Europe has caught up and is only slightly behind, but it will soon overtake the USA,” O’Neal stated. “I am sure the USA will not win gold at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”

What’s Fueling the Doubt?

1. The End of the “Avengers” Era

Team USA’s reliance on veterans like LeBron James (43 in 2028), Stephen Curry (40), and Kevin Durant (39) isn’t sustainable.

By the next Olympics, these legends are expected to retire from international play. Their contributions were vital in clinching a hard-fought gold in Paris 2024, and replacing them with equal leadership and production remains uncertain.

2. Cohesion Beats Star Power

The 2024 roster, though stacked, needed a full-force effort to edge past teams with far less individual talent. Serbia and France, led by fewer NBA stars, pushed Team USA to the brink thanks to better chemistry and discipline.

With limited prep time before international tournaments, raw talent may not be enough in 2028.

3. The International Rise: Wembanyama and Jokic Lead the Charge

International squads are no longer underdogs. France is expected to be stronger than ever, with Victor Wembanyama entering his prime and Zaccharie Risacher adding depth. Serbia continues to thrive with Nikola Jokic at the helm, while Canada, Germany, and even Croatia have cultivated young, hungry rosters ready to challenge the old guard.

But Is It Still Team USA’s Gold to Lose?

Despite the skepticism, many still view Team USA as the favorite. Rising stars like Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Tyrese Haliburton represent a new generation of elite American talent. Combined with home-court advantage and the deepest player pool in the world, Team USA retains the upper hand—at least on paper.A Reddit user echoed this confidence: “The rest of the world has been catching up but, none of them have the versatility and talent depth that the USA has… Team USA will easily win the gold medal in the Olympics.”

A Tipping Point in Global Basketball?

Team USA has only missed gold three times since basketball debuted in the Olympics: 1972, 1988, and 2004. Yet the 2028 Games may be their biggest test yet. The single-elimination format leaves little room for error. With shifting generational tides and mounting international momentum, the margin for victory has never been thinner.Also read: Caitlin Clark Set to Make 3-Point Contest Debut at WNBA All-Star Weekend in IndianapolisAs the basketball world looks toward Los Angeles, the stage is set not only for a showdown between teams—but for a defining moment in the sport’s global balance of power. Whether Team USA extends its legacy or the world catches up for good, LA 2028 will be one for the ages.