Kawhi Leonard withdraws from Team USA ahead of 2024 Paris Olympics, with Derrick White a possible replacement
By Rhys Jones
Published 10/07/2024 at 16:57 GMT+1
Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from Team USA ahead of the summer Olympics in Paris as the Clippers star continues to deal with a knee injury. The 33-year-old has had a frustrating list of injuries in the last few years, and Team USA and the Clippers made the collective decision to rest the forward ahead of the upcoming NBA season instead of play the Olympics.
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Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from Team USA ahead of the Olympics in Paris.
USA Basketball released a statement regarding the 33-year-old’s withdrawal on Wednesday, where they said the decision had been made alongside the Los Angeles Clippers.
"Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas," a statement read.
"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 missed 12 of the Clippers’ final 14 games of the season due to issues with his right knee and, despite training in every Team USA practice, staff decided his knee would not allow him to play at 100% in what would have been his first Olympics.
Leonard had said earlier this week that his knee was fine and was participating in on-court training three weeks out from the Games.
“I’m ready to go,” Leonard said.“I’m playing now so, I’m happy.”
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USA basketball can draft in a replacement for the forward, and Boston Celtics guard Derrick White is reportedly a strong contender for the position.
USA face Canada on Wednesday night in Las Vegas before travelling to the United Arab Emirates for games against Australia and Serbia.
They then head over to London for their final warm-up games against South Sudan and Germany.
South Sudan will be in Team USA's Olympic group which begins on July 28 in Lille.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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