Devin Booker claimed unexpected title for Team USA at Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympics came to a wrap with Team USA completely dominating the basketball scene. Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James was named the MVP of the tournament. He was also named part of the All-Star Five, along with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry.

Everyone in the national team performed well and did their job effectively. However, one player stood out from the group. While celebrating their win, Team USA's head coach, Steve Kerr, talked highly about Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. His words captured what he did for the team, which made everything work for the group.

"Devin Booker is an incredible basketball player. Nobody questions him. He's completely changed his role from what he is in the NBA. He was kind of our shadow MVP and I just wanted to say that."

Throughout the Olympic games, Booker was a fixed player in the starting lineup. However, he'd often get overshadowed by James, Curry and even his Suns teammate, Kevin Durant. But that didn't hinder him from making significant sacrifices and contributions to the team.

He put up 11.7 points and 3.3 assists during his 2024 Olympic run. Booker was a reliable shooter as he put up 56.8% from the field and 56.5% from beyond the arc. The Michigan-born star made the most of the chances given to him.

Devin Booker's college experience helped him prepare for Team USA

Being in Team USA means a player can team up with some of the best players in the world. In most cases, all players in the team are established All-Stars in the NBA. This year, it was nothing different. Booker teamed up with multiple All-Stars, champions and proven winners.

With the amount of stars they have on the team, it's a given that not everyone will get a chance to be THE MAN. This was the perfect situation for Booker to use what he learned in Kentucky. In college, the 6-foot-6 star wasn't the main option for the Wildcats. That's where he learned to be the dependable role player everyone saw during the Paris Games.

In Kentucky, Booker's college team had Karl-Anthony Towns, the number one guy on the team. Towns was the second-leading scorer of the team, with the Suns star following closely behind. There wasn't any player on the 2014-15 roster that took over or stood out among the rest. The entire team depended on who was on the roster and they found significant success.

While the Wildcats didn't win the title that year, the system helped the players work well. Their stint as a team defined the stars in leading their teams in the big leagues.

Looking at how Booker performed for Team USA, some fans thought they saw shades of how he played in college. And they were right because that's how the four-time All-Star played in Paris. He knew that the presence of James, Durant and Curry would limit his chances of having the ball.

But he didn't sulk about it. Instead, he helped make the team's offense flow better. Booker knows he's a threat to score the basketball and often makes minor adjustments to lure the defenses to help other stars.

Arizona Sports' Kellan Olson pointed out one play where Booker's movement assisted Curry to get open in their game against France. He drove to the baseline and drew three defenders to his attention. This led Curry to get open from the top of the key for a three-pointer.

This is just one of the many underrated plays that made Booker an undervalued player for the team.

It's also satisfying to see Booker fulfill the promise he made after Team USA came up short during the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma posted on social media if someone is willing to do the little things. Given that there are given scorers in the team, they need someone who could stay still in the corners on the offensive end and be ready defensively.

Booker took the challenge back then and he did just that this year.

This is also why he should join Team USA at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Booker knows how to sacrifice and become an on-court leader. That trait of his hasn't been noticed as much by most fans. By the time the next Olympics comes around, James, Curry and Durant might have retired already. Having a tenured star like the Suns guard will help with their success.

Next time the Olympics is around, Booker should be one of the top names on the list for Team USA. After all, he's already shown that he can sacrifice a lot for the team to win.