Kawhi Leonard is off the U.S. men’s basketball Olympic team

LAS VEGAS (AP) — USA Basketball meant to deliver Kawhi Leonard to the Paris Olympics. After watching him play in a four-day coaching camp, they and the Los Angeles Clippers realized that the plan wanted to vary.

Derrick White of the NBA champion Boston Celtics is changing Leonard on the U.S. staff for the Paris, the primary shakeup to a roster that was introduced within the spring. The choice was made Tuesday, White accepted the invitation Tuesday evening and USA Basketball introduced the transfer Wednesday morning.

“He wished to be right here like all these guys wish to be right here,” USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill mentioned Wednesday evening about Leonard. “And we don’t take that flippantly in any respect. It speaks to this system and the chance. Personally talking, I do know what it’s prefer to wish to do one thing and your physique is simply not proper. And I’ve lived that personally. And so, I applaud him for coming right here and being prepared to sacrifice, quit his summer time and signify our nation and play for our program. It simply in the end didn’t work out.”

Leonard missed 12 of the Los Angeles Clippers’ closing 14 video games this previous season with proper knee irritation, although he mentioned in latest days that he felt high-quality and the knee was doing effectively. However USA Basketball felt in another way and, along with the Clippers, made the choice.

White, who accepted the invitation after speaking with Hill on Tuesday evening, averaged 15.2 factors and 5.2 assists for the Celtics this previous season. His choice provides Boston three of the 12 gamers on the U.S. roster; Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Vacation are also Paris-bound.

White is predicted to be in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, within the coming days — plans are nonetheless being made — to affix the U.S. squad. The staff will fly to Abu Dhabi from Las Vegas on Thursday and is scheduled to follow there Saturday forward of exhibition video games towards Australia on July 15 and Serbia on July 17. It’s unclear if White might be there in time for Saturday.

“I don’t really feel like his position modifications a lot with our staff from what he does with the Celtics,” Hill mentioned. “He performs alongside two extremely nice younger gamers, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. And this setting is difficult once you are available in and also you’re the middle of your universe and now you must set up a task and it is likely to be totally different than what you must do along with your staff. To have somebody who can are available in and play off of fellows, be complementary to some others, however then additionally stand out … we’re excited.”

Brown, on X, the platform previously often known as Twitter, posted this on Wednesday: “(at)nike this what we doing ?” It appeared like an insinuation that Brown, who has been essential of Nike previously, could have performed a task in him not being chosen for the Olympic staff. Nike is a USA Basketball companion.

“That is about placing collectively a staff,” Hill mentioned.

White — a second-team All-Defensive choice after this previous NBA season, that means he’ll clearly take a few of the on-ball defending duties that the Olympic staff probably envisioned Leonard having — has some USA Basketball expertise, together with being a part of the 2019 World Cup staff that completed seventh in China. He and the Celtics agreed on a four-year extension price almost $126 million after the playoff run, one during which he led Boston with 65 made 3-pointers on a team-best 40.4% capturing from past the arc.

Leonard is a two-time NBA champion, six-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA participant, however damage points have been a recurring theme in his profession. USA Basketball had monitored him carefully in latest weeks, ensuring he was doing effectively sufficient to be on the court docket after his season with the Clippers ended prematurely.

He has missed 256 regular-season video games during the last seven years, together with the entire 2021-22 season with knee bother. He appeared in 68 video games this previous season for the Clippers, his most since enjoying in 74 for San Antonio in the course of the 2016-17 season.

“That is simply my journey,” Leonard mentioned earlier this week, discussing his accidents. “I can’t lay out the right script for me. Final yr I attempted to play as a lot as doable, felt nice and at a sure time frame I couldn’t go. I attempted the most effective that I might, but it surely’s simply my journey. I don’t wish to be in a scenario that (I’m) in, however I’ve acquired to take it for what it’s. And lots of people are watching, supporters or doubters. However I inspire lots of people, so I’ve acquired to maintain doing what I’m doing.”

Leonard — a part of a 592-person Olympic staff formally named by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee earlier Wednesday — had mentioned earlier this week that his knee was high-quality and he was capable of resume on-court coaching about three weeks in the past to prepare for the Video games.

“I’m able to go,” Leonard mentioned then. “I’m enjoying now so, I’m joyful.”

A few days later, hours earlier than the primary U.S. exhibition sport towards Canada and sooner or later earlier than the staff departs for Abu Dhabi — the primary of two worldwide stops for extra video games and practices earlier than arriving in France for the Olympics — Leonard was gone.

Leonard’s departure leaves the U.S., not less than till White arrives, with 10 out there gamers. Kevin Durant won’t play towards Canada due to a calf pressure and couldn’t compete within the staff’s four-day coaching camp in Las Vegas that ended Tuesday. USA Basketball is working beneath the expectation that Durant might be prepared for more and more extra on-court exercise within the coming days.

“He has been working, rehabbing, he’s appeared nice,” Hill mentioned about Durant. “I believe we’re simply being cautious and conservative. We count on to see him over on the court docket after we’re in Abu Dhabi, sooner or later.”

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AP Summer season Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games