MIAMI.- The technician of the Miami Heat of the NBA, Erik Spoelstrawas named this Tuesday head coach of the men’s basketball team of USA towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“It is an incredible honor,” said the American coach, who will combine work as a coach with his position as head of the Florida franchise.
“Representing our country and leading world-class athletes in top-level competition is one of the greatest privileges in sports. I look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence and teamwork that defines USA Basketball,” he added.
Spoelstra, 54, was chosen by U.S. men’s national team director Grant Hill and approved by the USA Basketball board of directors.
The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee has yet to endorse his choice.
American teams made up of NBA stars have won the last five Olympic gold medals. In total they have won 17 Olympic titles and five FIBA World Cup crowns.
Spoelstra was an assistant coach to Steve Kerr on the team that participated in the Paris Olympics last year and the American quintet that placed fourth at the 2023 world championships.
With the Heat, Spoelstra was an assistant on the 2006 NBA champion team and, as head coach, led Miami to the North American league titles in 2012 and 2013.
In addition to the 2028 Olympics at home, Spoelstra will lead the United States men’s national team at the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Doha and in training camps and exhibitions leading up to the two major global events.
Next week he will begin his 18th season in charge of the Heat, which makes him the NBA coach with the longest tenure on the same team.
In pain, Osaka advances
The Japanese tennis player Naomi Osaka (No. 16 in the world) advanced to the quarterfinals of the Osaka tournament after defeating the Dutch Suzan Lamens (No. 57) this Wednesday in three sets, despite suffering an injury to her left calf.
When she was winning 5-0 in the third set, the former world number 1 needed medical assistance due to the discomfort she felt in her left leg.
Despite the bandage that limited her movements and the loss of the next two games, Osaka managed to seal the victory 7-6 (8/6), 3-6 and 6-2.
After the last point, Osaka burst into tears before going to the net to greet her rival.
“I’m sorry for my attitude, but emotionally I have experienced many things in this match. In the third set, I gave everything to have no regrets,” he explained at a press conference.
“I couldn’t move well. I usually recover quickly and I think I will be able to play the next match” against the Romanian Jaqueline Cristian, who defeated the Spanish Jéssica Bouza in three sets.
