Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from Staff USA’s basketball group for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, USA Basketball introduced on Wednesday.
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the previous a number of weeks and had a couple of robust practices in Las Vegas,” stated an announcement from USA Basketball. “He felt able to compete. Nonetheless, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers decided it is in his greatest curiosity to spend the rest of the summer season making ready for the upcoming season fairly than taking part within the Olympic Video games in Paris.”
Leonard performed 68 video games through the 2023-24 NBA common season whereas coping with continual knee soreness and irritation. He took half in each Staff USA observe and scrimmage through the build-up to the Paris Video games, however Leonard and group employees felt that his knee would restrict him from being 100% through the Olympic event.
Leonard missed the complete 2021-22 NBA season after tearing his ACL through the 2021 postseason and was restricted to solely two video games through the 2023 playoffs resulting from a torn meniscus.
He stated earlier this month that the Clippers had been “probably not” frightened about him taking part in for Staff USA. “They had been optimistic in regards to the scenario,” Leonard stated. “So, yeah, they wasn’t too frightened about it.”
Derrick White of the Boston Celtics has been named as a alternative. White was on the 2019 FIBA World Cup squad that completed seventh.
“I’m blissful to announce that Derrick will compete at his first Olympic Video games on the heels of a championship season in Boston,” stated USA Basketball Males’s Nationwide Staff managing director Grant Hill in an announcement. “We sit up for him becoming a member of the group within the coming days as we proceed preparations for Paris.
“I wish to thank Kawhi for his dedication to the USA Males’s Nationwide Staff. He earned the chance to characterize the US, however USA Basketball and Clippers management felt it’s vital to permit Kawhi to organize for the NBA season.”
Staff USA begins its pre-Olympic exhibition schedule Wednesday night time in Las Vegas in opposition to Canada. They’ll then journey to the United Arab Emirates for 2 video games in opposition to Australia and Serbia subsequent week earlier than wrapping up the tour in London in opposition to South Sudan and Germany.
Serbia, South Sudan and Puerto Rico might be Staff USA’s opponents within the Olympic group part, which begins July 28 in Lille, France.
