USA Basketball announced that Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard will not be participating in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Leonard will be replaced by Boston Celtics guard and reigning NBA Champion Derrick White.
The decision came after consultations between Team USA and the Clippers, concluding that it was in the best interest of the six-time NBA All-Star and two-time NBA champion to focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season instead of competing in the Olympics.
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas,” read a USA Basketball 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.”
Leonard has a history of injuries, notably missing the entire 2021-22 NBA season due to a torn ACL suffered during the 2021 postseason. In the 2023 playoffs, he was limited to just two games because of a torn meniscus. Despite these setbacks, Leonard managed to play 68 games in the 2023-24 season, earning All NBA Second Team honors. However, his season was cut short again as he missed the Clippers’ final playoff games against the Dallas Mavericks due to right-knee inflammation.
Grant Hill, USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director, expressed gratitude for Leonard’s dedication: “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.”
Derrick White steps in to fill Leonard’s spot. White is coming off a career-best season, playing a crucial role in the Celtics’ championship run and earning his second consecutive NBA All-Defensive Second Team appearance. In 73 games, the 30-year-old guard averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game, shooting 39.6% from three on nearly seven attempts per game. White was previously part of the 2019 FIBA World Cup squad that finished seventh.
“I am happy to announce that Derrick will compete at his first Olympic Games on the heels of a championship season in Boston,” Hill said.
“We look forward to him joining the team in the coming days as we continue preparations for Paris.”
Team USA will kick off their preparations with a friendly against Canada on Wednesday, July 10, in Las Vegas, the first of five preparation games. Their next game will be on July 15 in Abu Dhabi against Australia.
White’s addition brings fresh energy and defensive prowess to the roster, bolstering Team USA’s chances as they aim for Olympic gold in Paris.
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