Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard won’t be part of Team USA’s Olympic squad after all.
The 33-year-old appeared set to participate in his first Olympics this summer after being named in USA Basketball’s 12-man roster for the Las Vegas camp. However, the organization released a statement Wednesday saying that the Clippers and the national program mutually decided to keep Leonard out.
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White is replacing Leonard on Team USA’s roster.
Leonard has been bothered by a sore and inflamed knee for months, sources told The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Charania. Leonard’s camp notified USA Basketball of concern surrounding his status earlier this week, a source told Spears.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and shot 41.7% from deep for L.A. last season. He played in 68 games, his most in a single season since a 74-game campaign with the San Antonio Spurs in 2016-17; however, swelling in his right knee caused him to miss the Clippers’ final eight regular-season contests and four of their six first-round games against the Dallas Mavericks.
White is coming off his first NBA title with the Celtics. The 30-year-old guard played a pivotal role in helping the franchise claim its 18th championship, posting 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.2 blocks while shooting 40.4% in 19 playoff games.
Team USA, which plays an exhibition game Wednesday against Canada, is also temporarily without Kevin Durant, who’s battling a calf strain. The Americans are hoping to claim a fifth straight gold medal at the men’s Summer Olympics tournament. They’ve failed to finish in first just once since 1992 – settling for bronze at the 2004 Summer Games in Athens.
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