DERRICK White has been officially named to replace Kawhi Leonard on the United States (US) national basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics following Leonard withdrew due to a knee injury that continues to hamper his performance.
White, who plays for the Boston Celtics and led his team to the NBA championship last season, showed impressive performance with an average of 15.2 points and 5.2 assists per game.
White’s presence might strengthen the US squad in its quest for a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Leonard, who plays for the Los Angeles Clippers, missed 12 of his team’s final 14 games last season because of right knee inflammation.
AFP/Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images—Pebasket Los Angeles Clippers Kahwi Leonard
The decision not to include Leonard was made jointly by USA Basketball and the Los Angeles Clippers.
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“Kawhi has been preparing for the Olympics for the past several weeks and showed strong performance in practice in Las Vegas,” USA Basketball said on the NBA’s website.
“However, he respects the decision of USA Basketball and the Clippers who deemed it best for him to focus on the upcoming season rather than participate in the Paris Olympics,” the organization continued.
Leonard, a two-time NBA champion and six-time NBA All-Star, has been plagued by injuries.
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Over the past seven years, he has missed 256 regular-season games, including the entire 2021-22 season due to knee issues.
Last season, Leonard appeared in 68 games for the Clippers, his most since the 2016-17 season when he played for the San Antonio Spurs.
“I try my best, but this is my journey. I have to accept this reality,” Leonard said.
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He previously said his knee had improved and had started training once more on the field, regarding three weeks ago, to prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, days before the US’s first exhibition game once morest Canada and a day before the team was to depart for Abu Dhabi to continue preparations, Leonard decided to withdraw.
The decision leaves the U.S. with 10 players to play. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is also out once morest Canada with a calf injury and missed four days of training camp.
The U.S. basketball team will play five exhibition games in Las Vegas, London and Abu Dhabi before the 2024 Paris Olympics begin on July 26. (Ant/Z-1)
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