Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard is withdrawing from the Team USA Olympic basketball team, the team announced today.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas,” Team USA said in a statement. “He felt ready to compete. However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it’s in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
An update on Kawhi Leonard from the USA Basketball Men's National Team. pic.twitter.com/84TjYpc90i
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 10, 2024
The 33-year-old Leonard would have been making hiss first Olympic appearance. He missed 12 of the L.A.’s last 14 games with right knee inflammation.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White will be replacing Leonard on the roster.
“I am happy to announce that Derrick will compete at his first Olympic Games on the heels of a championship season in Boston,” said USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill in a statement. “We look forward to him joining the team in the coming days as we continue preparations for Paris.
“I want to thank Kawhi for his commitment to the USA Men’s National Team. He earned the opportunity to represent the United States, but USA Basketball and Clippers leadership felt it’s important to allow Kawhi to prepare for the NBA season.”
Welcome to the ???????? #USABMNT, @Dwhite921! pic.twitter.com/99n1S33ITO
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 10, 2024
White was named to the 2024 USA Men’s National Team player pool in January. He was a finalist for the 2020 USA Men’s National Team and a member of the 2019 USA World Cup Team.
White played a key role on the Boston Celtics this past season on their run to their NBA record 18th championship. He averaged 15.2 points, while shooting 39.6% from 3, 5.2 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 steals across 73 regular season games for Boston and made his second-straight NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Team USA plays its first exhibition game tonight at 7:30 p.m. MST against Team Canada. Phoenix Suns superstar Kevin Durant will not be playing in the game.
Steve Kerr reveals Kevin Durant’s status for tomorrow’s game vs. Team Canada
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
