Steph Curry will not play in the Olympics

Whenever Steph Curry breaks our hearts and decides to retire, he’ll do so with a list of accolades so long that it’s hard to keep track of. But it seems that “Olympics medalist” is unlikely to be on that list.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors superstar has opted out of the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

Curry has won two gold medals at the FIBA World Cup, in 2010 and 2014, but has yet to appear in the Olympics. He was passed over in 2012 while still a young player yet to see his all-world potential materialize, and he opted out of joining Team USA in 2016 while he rehabbed injuries sustained during the Warriors’ lengthy playoff run.

Given that the Tokyo Olympics were put off for a year due to the pandemic, Team USA will only have to wait three more years for another Olympics run, so there’s still time for Curry to participate. But by the time the 2024 summer games roll around, Curry will be 36. If he doesn’t want to to join the squad this year, it seems unlikely he’ll want to do it then.

While we don’t know Curry’s reasoning for staying home this summer, it’s not a particularly surprising move. We know his biggest priorities in the offseason are getting his body ready for the next season and maximizing time with his family, and a long trip to Tokyo to play a bunch of games probably doesn’t check either of those boxes.

Still, it’s a loss for basketball fans to not get to watch Curry, especially since he would be reunited with former teammate Kevin Durant, who is fresh off a scintillating playoff run with the Brooklyn Nets.

But if it helps him be the best Curry possible for the 2021-22 season, then I don’t think anyone in Dub Nation will be complaining.