USA coach Mike Krzyzewski will lead the team in the Rio Olympics this summer, despite upcoming knee replacement surgery, which takes place after the NCAA season concludes.
The 69-year-USA coach Mike Krzyzewski will lead the team in the Rio Olympics this summer, despite upcoming knee replacement surgery, which takes place after the NCAA season concludes.
The 69-year-old has led Team USA to gold at the Beijing and London Olympics and also the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cup tournaments during his tenure as head coach.
Krzyzewski, who also coaches the 20-6 Duke University Blue Devils in the NCAA said Thursday that doctors have told him that he should recover from the operation in plenty of time to coach the Americans for a third time.
“Immediately after the Duke basketball season is completed, I will undergo replacement surgery on my left knee,” Krzyzewski said.
“I have every intention of coaching the United States national team in Rio at the 2016 Olympics.”
“I fully expect Coach K to lead the 2016 US Olympic team in Rio,” Colangelo added.
“I was aware that coach planned to have knee replacement surgery immediately after Duke’s season was completed. But at no time have coach and I ever discussed him not coaching the USA national team this summer.”
Once the Rio Games ends, Krzyzewski will hand the reigns over to San Antonio Spurs play caller Gregg Popovich.
