Anthony Edwards was part of Team USA’s gold medal squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics, gaining valuable experience on the international stage while sharing the spotlight with some of the league’s biggest names. But if Paris was about learning and contributing, Los Angeles in 2028 could be about leading.

With the trajectory his career is on, Edwards is poised to be one of, if not the face of Team USA heading into the next Olympic cycle. And this time, it will be on home soil.

The 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles already feel different. The stage will be bigger, the spotlight brighter, and the expectations even higher. Hosting the Games in the United States automatically adds another layer of energy and pride, especially with basketball likely being played at the Intuit Dome in front of a packed American crowd.

This year’s NBA All-Star Game added even more intrigue to what LA 2028 could look like. With USA Stars facing off against the World’s best, fans got a small but fascinating preview of what global basketball dominance looks like when the talent is split along national lines. The international game has never been stronger, and the gap between Team USA and the rest of the world continues to shrink. This is what makes the buildup toward 2028 even more compelling for Team USA and the rest of the world.

When asked about the possibility of Team USA facing this wave of international stars in Los Angeles two years from now, Edwards gave a short but telling response:

“I don’t know what it’s gonna build up to but I know it’s going to be packed, I know it’s going to be a lot of people, and it’s going to be fun.”

That answer feels very on-brand for Edwards: confident, relaxed, and unfazed by the magnitude of the moment. But underneath that simplicity is a clear understanding: the atmosphere is going to be electric.

2026 NBA All-Star Team USA Stars squad could be a preview of Team USA’s LA2028 Olympic team

This current crop of young American stars that are in Team USA Stars could very well be a preview of Team USA’s LA 2028 roster. Cade Cunningham. Anthony Edwards. Devin Booker. Chet Holmgren. Jalen Duren. Tyrese Maxey. Scottie Barnes. Jalen Johnson.

These are not just promising names, they’re All-Stars who are continuously improving year by year. They are the next wave, and they represent the future of USA Basketball.

Edwards, in particular, feels like the natural centerpiece of that group. He has the charisma, the fearlessness, and the scoring ability to thrive in Olympic play. His game translates internationally: explosive drives, shot-making from deep, and the confidence to take and make big shots when it matters most.

Cade Cunningham brings size and playmaking at the guard position. Devin Booker already has Olympic experience and understands the balance between scoring and sacrificing within a stacked roster. Chet Holmgren offers rim protection and floor spacing. Tyrese Maxey brings speed and energy. Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson add versatility and two-way impact. Jalen Duren gives Team USA interior strength and physicality.

That’s what makes the thought of LA 2028 so intriguing. These players are already elite at a young age. Two more years of development, playoff battles, and growth could elevate them to an entirely different level. International competition demands cohesion and adaptability, but it also rewards talent and depth: which are two things this group won’t lack.

Add in a couple more names in there like Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton, Paolo Banchero, and Cooper Flagg, and it looks like Team USA will bring yet another star-studded lineup in the quadriennial global meet.

The global challenge will be real as the World team continues to produce MVPs and superstars. International programs are deeper, more disciplined, and more confident than ever before. The days of Team USA simply overwhelming opponents with athleticism alone are long gone.

But if this young core continues on its current path, Team USA will be bannered by young and hungry stars ready to bring home yet another gold for the stars and stripes.

LA 2028 will be a statement opportunity, a chance for the next generation to take ownership of the red, white, and blue. A chance for Anthony Edwards to go from rising star to unquestioned leader on the biggest international stage.

And if Edwards said proves to be right, then Los Angeles might deliver one of the most memorable Olympic basketball tournaments we’ve ever seen.

The preview is already here, and the buildup has already started. Now it’s just a matter of time, two years from now.