He Miami Heat continues his preparation towards the next season of the NBAbut the coach Erik Spoelstra He could have a lot more on the table right now than just finalizing some details with the South Florida team’s roster.
According to a report from FOX Sports, Spoelstra has emerged as the main candidate to lead the United States team in the next World Cup in Qatar in 2027 and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. According to the same information, both parties have not yet finalized the agreement.
If the move materializes, the current Heat instructor would be replacing Steve Kerrwho commanded the North American squad in the most recent Olympic cycle and who led it to the gold medal in the event held in Paris last year.
The United States team has won each of the last five gold medals contested in the discipline and Spoelstra was involved in the team that won in 2024.
After winning that last medal for the United States, Spoelstra told the media that he would “feel honored” if the team asked him to take the reins.
Likewise, Spoelstra would also become the first Heat coach to receive the distinction of Olympic coach.
The rumors arise shortly after USA Basketball finalized a deal to make Kara LawsonDuke coach, the coach of the country’s women’s team for the Olympic cycle that will include the Los Angeles Games.
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Spoelstra, whose father, Jon, was an NBA executive with Portland, Denver and New Jersey, is heading into his 18th season at the helm in Miami, making him the longest-tenured current coach following the retirement of Gregg Popovich with Saint Anthony.
He has won two NBA titles as a coach and won another as an assistant during the tenure of Pat Riley in 2006. He was also part of the coaching staff of the United States team under the command of Kerr in the 2023 World Cup and the Paris Olympic Games.
