For this year’s World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Paris, Los Angeles Clippers coach Tyronn Lue will take Monty Williams’ spot on the coaching staff of the USA Basketball men’s national team.
Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat, Mark Few of Gonzaga, and Golden State’s Steve Kerr are now joined on the coaching staff by Lue. According to Grant Hill, managing director of the United States men’s national team, Williams resigned due to family obligations.
Lue stated, “I am really delighted to represent our nation and join this outstanding group of coaches. It has always been a goal of mine to coach USA Basketball, and I’m honored to accept the assignment.
The United States has not yet qualified for either the 2024 Olympics or the World Cup this summer. The Americans will try to earn a World Cup berth in the sixth and final window of qualifying games for that event later this month. The Americans often utilize G League players in qualifying games before bolstering the team with NBA talent for the big competitions.
Williams was announced in December 2021 as a member of the USA Basketball coaching staff for this cycle. Williams served as a part of the coaching staff for the American teams that won gold at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
Despite the time and the rigors of the commitment, Williams remarked, “This has been a tough choice, but it is the right one for myself and my family.” Grant Hill and Coach Kerr have my eternal gratitude for allowing me the opportunity to serve as an assistant coach and for their tolerance of my choice.
The World Cup will start on August 25 in the Philippines, and if the Americans win either of their two qualifying matches this month against Uruguay or Brazil, they will be guaranteed a berth. There are other chances for them to qualify, though. Based on their World Cup standing, the Americans might then enter the Paris Games.
In Paris the following year, the U.S. will attempt to capture a fifth straight Olympic gold medal.
