USA Water Polo announces Paris 2024 men's roster: "One of the most talented teams I have ever coached" (2024)

On 18 June, USA Water Polo unveiled the roster for the men's national team set to compete in the red, white, and blue caps at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The last time the US men's team medaled at the Olympics was at Beijing 2008 where they earned a silver medal after a hard-fought final against Hungary. 16 years later, a new generation of 13 athletes is determined to end this medal drought:

- Adrian Weinberg (Los Angeles, CA)
- Johnny Hooper (Los Angeles, CA)
- Marko Vavic (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA)
- Alex Obert (Loomis, CA)
- Hannes Daube (Long Beach, CA)
- Luca Cupido (Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy/California)
- Ben Hallock (Westlake Village, CA)
- Dylan Woodhead (San Anselmo, CA)
- Alex Bowen (Santee, CA)
- Chase Dodd (Long Beach, CA)
- Ryder Dodd (Long Beach, CA)
- Max Irving (Long Beach, CA)
- Drew Holland (Orinda, CA)

Hopes are sky-high for this talented squad, as head coach Dejan Udovicic shared: “In my more than twenty-five-year coaching career, this is one of the most talented teams I have ever coached. I believe in this team; I believe in my players.”

Team USA secured their 2024 Olympic berth after winning the gold medal at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile last year.

The US women's team was announced earlier, and they will be on the hunt for a historic fourth gold medal.

• How to qualify for Paris 2024 water polo

As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.

Team USA is loaded with experience... and Californians

Ten players on the team have previously competed in the Olympic pool, with many hailing from Southern California. This close-knit group’s camaraderie is undeniable, but the real question remains: Will their bond carry them all the way to the podium?

Leading the charge is team captain Ben Hallock, recognized as one of the world’s top centers and a key player for the elite Pro Recco squad in Italy. The six-foot-six captain expressed his excitement about the Paris roster, saying: "There is no greater honor than representing your country at the Olympics… This group of guys has a work ethic like I've never seen before. They are willing to do everything [with maximum effort] while being happy as they do it. With those things and with how much we are willing to sacrifice for each other, we can do anything we want and take home a medal in Paris."

Joining Hallock in Paris is top US goal scorer from the 2022 World Aquatics Championships, Alex Bowen, as well as Alex Obert and Luca Cupido, all making their third Olympic appearances.

Tokyo 2020 attackers Hannes Daube, Johnny Hooper, Max Irving, Marko Vavic, and Dylan Woodhead will also return to the Olympic pool. Defending the goal are returning Olympian Drew Holland, who was the starting goalkeeper in Tokyo, and Adrian Weinberg, who started in the US playoff game at the February 2024 Worlds and is set to make his Olympic debut in Paris

Brothers Chase and Ryder Dodd are also making their Olympic debuts, with Ryder (18) being the youngest member of the US men’s Olympic water polo team since 1964. Their participation marks the first time since 1988 (Jeff and Peter Campbell) that a pair of brothers will compete together on the team.

Johnny Hooper: "Tokyo 2020 lit a fire within the team"

Currently ranked seventh in the world, the US men's water polo team appears to be hitting their stride at just the right time. They secured a bronze medal at the 2023 World Cup in Los Angeles and clinched the Pan American title the same year.

The American men placed ninth at the most recent World Championships in February and seventh at the 2023 World Championships, underscoring the competitive landscape they will face this summer. At Tokyo 2020, Team USA finished sixth, falling to Spain in the quarterfinals.

Hooper reflected on their experience in the capital of Japan: "I was grateful for the experience and it definitely lit a fire within this team and myself to perform better at this Olympics in Paris. There was a lot more work to do and I feel like most of the people on our team thought we could do better. So, coming back this time around, hopefully, we win gold in Paris."

Now, the focus shifts to Paris, where the men’s water polo tournament will run from 28 July to 11 August. The American men are in Pool A, where they are set to compete against major teams like the reigning world champions Croatia and the Tokyo 2020 silver medallists Greece. With their recent achievements and a talented roster, the team could make a serious splash this summer in the Paris La Defense Arena.

• Discover the full Paris 2024 water polo schedule