Kawhi Leonard withdraws from Team USA and will not compete in Paris Olympics

This would have been LA Clippers' Kawhi Leonard's first ever Olympic trip.

Kawhi Leonard withdraws from Team USA and will not compete in Paris Olympics

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from Team USA for the Paris Olympics, less than three weeks before the start of the games. According to USA Basketball, the LA Clippers star will spend the rest of the summer preparing for the 2024-25 NBA season instead.

‘The Klaw’ had been practicing with Team USA in Las Vegas and was feeling ready to compete. However, it has been determined that it was in his best interest to focus on the upcoming season rather than participating 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. 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.
USA Basketball said in a statement

This would have been Leonard’s first Olympic trip, but he has been dealing with right knee inflammation that caused him to miss 12 of the Clippers’ final 14 games last season. Despite saying his knee was fine earlier this week, Kawhi Leonard will, to the dismay of fans, not be participating in the Olympics.

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USA Basketball will be able to replace Leonard on the 12-man roster ahead of their Olympics opener against Serbia on July 28. This decision is a blow to Team USA’s chances, but the team will move forward with the remaining players.

Derrick White replaces Kawhi Leonard on team USA’s Olympic roster

Derrick White has been selected to replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA’s Olympic roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics according to Andscape’s Marc J. Spears. White’s addition means he will join Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday on the 12-man squad.

White’s inclusion on the team may come as a surprise to some, as he wasn’t an All-Star this season and averaged “only” 15.2 points per game. However, he is a well-rounded guard who is an exceptional teammate and has experience playing at the international level. 

He played for Team USA at the 2019 FIBA World Cup and was a finalist to make the 2020 Olympic roster. Furthermore, his addition to Team USA means a reunion of the “Stock Exchange” on the team, as he and Holiday were ferocious defenders for the Celtics during their 2024 championship run. 

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