Report: Kerr emerges as favorite to replace Popovich as Team USA coach

Golden State Warriors bench boss Steve Kerr has emerged as the favorite to replace Gregg Popovich as head coach of the U.S. senior men's national team, sources told NBA insider Marc Stein.

Popovich recently guided USA Basketball to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. The longtime San Antonio Spurs bench boss succeeded Duke's Mike Krzyzewski after the 2016 Games and was under contract until this year's Summer Olympics.

Popovich previously served as an assistant under Larry Brown at the Athens Games and was on George Karl's staff for the 2002 FIBA World Cup.

Kerr was among Popovich's assistant coaches at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and 2020 Olympics.

Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra is reportedly another candidate for the job opening. However, new USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill has indicated he prefers a coach who is well-versed in the international game.

"Spending the last year just really studying the international game, it's different," Hill told The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears. "It's a different game than our game, and understanding that and respecting that is vitally important and not just for the staff but for the players as well."