Duke Athletes Gear Up for the 2024 Paris Olympics

The 2024 Olympics are on the horizon, taking place in the enchanting city of Paris from July 26 to August 11. Former and current athletes from Duke University are set to showcase their talents on the world stage, and The Chronicle is providing daily updates on their performances.

One of the standout athletes is Jayson Tatum, a former Duke men’s basketball star. Tatum recently clinched an NBA Championship with the Boston Celtics and will be representing Team USA in his second consecutive Olympics. With his exceptional skills, he hopes to help the U.S. secure its fifth straight gold medal, a tradition dating back to the celebrated Redeem Team coached by Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski.

Rising star Khaman Maluach will also make his Olympic debut, competing for South Sudan. The future Blue Devil is one of the youngest participants, turning 18 just after the Olympics begin. His international experience will be tested against competitors like Tatum.

Another former Blue Devil, RJ Barrett, will play for Canada. Barrett’s talent was on display during his time with Duke, and after a successful trade to the Toronto Raptors, he averaged 20.2 points per game in the recent NBA season. He is eager to continue his impressive performance when Canada faces Greece on July 27.

Jack White, who was Barrett’s teammate at Duke, is heading home to represent Australia as an NBA champion. Known for their scrappy play, Australia’s team may not be the most renowned but is filled with experienced NBA players looking for an underdog success moment.

The women’s basketball scene will feature Elizabeth Balogun representing Nigeria. Balogun, who graduated from Duke in 2023, has been making waves overseas and brings her size and shooting prowess to the continental stage.

Chelsea Gray, another former Blue Devil, has made a name for herself in the WNBA with the Las Vegas Aces. She’s looking to shine on a talented U.S. team that is heavily favored to take home gold.

In the world of track and field, Lauren Hoffman will compete for the Philippines, while dual representation goes to Macky Price for Canada. Both athletes had distinguished careers at Duke, with Price already securing her spot as an Olympian.

Leah Crouse, who played field hockey at Duke, will also be in action, representing Team USA on July 27. With previous experience on the national team, she is a valuable player for her squad.

Duke’s involvement doesn’t stop there as Ethan Ramos, an assistant coach at Duke, prepares to compete in wrestling for Puerto Rico. His impressive history as a Tar Heel wrestler makes him a strong contender in his category.