Image Credit: AP Images
Kawhi Leonard will formally not be playing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Officials announced the upgrade on the 2024 USA Basketball Mens National Team previously today publishing the decision on social networks. In regards to the Los Angeles Clippers star and Team USA forward, the post discussed:
” Kawhi has actually been increase for the Olympics over the past a number of weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas,” a USA Basketball statement checked out. “He felt all set to complete. Nevertheless, he appreciates that USA Basketball and the Clippers identified its in his benefit to spend the remainder of the summertime preparing for the upcoming season rather than taking part in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
Soon after, the USA Basketball accounts welcomed 30-year-old Derrick White with one post writing, “Derrick White joins the & #x 1f1fa; & #x 1f1f8; #USABMNT for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.”
” Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a couple of strong practices in Las Vegas,” a USA Basketball declaration checked out. “He felt ready to contend. He respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers identified its in his best interest to invest the rest of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than getting involved in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
While White was may have been chosen for his defensive prowess that added to the Celtics NBA Championship win, Jalen Brunson might have been a prime prospect. He is still recuperating from a broken left hand sustained in Game 6 versus the Pacers.
source.
For a long time, the 33-year-old professional athlete has actually been fighting with knee inflammation throughout his regular season and was seen hobbling with his injured knee throughout L.A.s first-round playoff loss to the eventual Western Conference-champion Dallas Mavericks.
Leonard stated Tuesday that he was planning to play in Team USAs first exhibition game Wednesday night versus Team Canada however referred to his knee remaining in a “neutral” state. He also mentioned he d been rehabbing the knee over the past 2 months and wasnt sure whether he d be able to play until two weeks ago, when he revealed improvement.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA– JULY 08: Kawhi Leonard # 8 of the 2024 USA Basketball Mens National Team strolls on the court after a practice session throughout the teams training camp at the Mendenhall Center at UNLV on July 08, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images).
The gamer, who will start a three-year, $150 million offer with the Clippers, hasnt had the ability to finish the previous 2 postseasons since of ideal knee injuries. In general, the two-time NBA champ and six-time All-NBA player has actually missed 256 regular-season video games over the past 7 years, including all of the 2021-22 season with knee difficulty.
In regards to the replacement, White was apparently chosen over Knicks safeguard Jalen Brunson, who made second-team All-NBA this previous season as one of the leagues leading players.
White averaged 15.2 PPG and 39.6 percent from 3-point range and the exact same 6.8 efforts per video game.
