Fil-Am Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is now calling the shots for the Team USA men’s basketball team.
Filipino-American coach Erik Spoelstra already has a lot of accolades to his name. But now, he adds another feather in his cap after being officially named the head coach of Team USA men’s basketball.
Having served as a deputy for former head coach Steve Kerr, Spoelstra has been with the Team USA program since the previous Olympic cycle — which included a gold medal run in the 2024 Paris Olympics as an assistant.
But now, Spoelstra will fill big shoes, especially with the 2028 LA Olympics coming up.
With the team naming him as head coach on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time), Spoelstra spoke about his surprise at being able to reach this point in his career.
“You know, I've always been a fan of USAB. Of course, it's a dream, but you think it's never going to happen. Being part of that type of legacy and being part of the Olympics was really the opportunity of a lifetime,” Spoelstra said.
“To be able to experience it where a group really comes together with that kind of pride for your country, to be able to find a way to win the gold is amazing, something I'll never forget,” he continued.
Taking expectations in stride
A two-time champion in the NBA, pressure isn’t new to Spoelstra.
But now with the faith of a whole country on his shoulders from this point on, the 54-year-old will face a new level of challenges.
Eager to continue Team USA’s winning culture, Spoelstra is taking all the upcoming trials in stride.
“I'm grateful to be the head coach. I understand the expectations,” he said.
“There's a culture with USAB. A lot comes with that. It is surreal. I'm extremely grateful and understand the responsibility.”
Spoelstra is expected to be tested as soon as next month with the FIBA World Cup qualifiers coming on November 28 and December 1 when they face Nicaragua in back-to-back matchups.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.