Spoelstra Named USA Basketball Coach for 2027 World Cup 2028 Olympics

Erik Spoelstra has been appointed head coach of the United States men’s national basketball team through the 2027 FIBA World Cup in Qatar and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, USA Basketball announced on Tuesday. The longtime Miami Heat coach will replace Steve Kerr, who stepped down after leading Team USA to gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Spoelstra, 54, will continue his role with the Heat while taking on the national-team assignment. He enters his 18th season as Miami’s coach and is the longest-tenured head coach in the NBA. His résumé includes six NBA Finals appearances and two championships in 2012 and 2013, and he served as an assistant on the U.S. staff at the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics.

“It’s an incredible honor to be named head coach of the USA Basketball men’s national team,” Spoelstra said. “I look forward to carrying on the tradition of excellence and teamwork that defines USA Basketball.” Steve Kerr, who coached the 2024 Olympic team, praised the selection, saying Spoelstra had shown what he could do up close and calling him “the perfect choice.”

Team USA has dominated recent Olympic competition, winning gold at the past five Summer Games and 17...