The recent announcement that Kawhi Leonard will not participate in the Paris Olympics has left many wondering about his replacement. The decision has generated significant buzz as people await more details, like the reasons behind his withdrawal and the identity of his replacement.
Here is everything fans need to know about Kawhi Leonard’s replacement on the Olympic team.
Is Derrick White replacing Kawhi Leonard on Team USA?
Yes, Derrick White will be Kawhi Leonard’s replacement on Team USA for the Paris Olympics.
On July 10, Team USA announced that Kawhi Leonard would be stepping down from team activities for the 2024 Paris Olympics. USA Basketball and the LA Clippers, prioritizing Leonard’s health, collectively made this decision. To fill the gap, Boston Celtics guard Derrick White has been selected as his replacement, as per AP News.
Grant Hill, managing director of the USA Men’s national team, has also issued a personal statement. According to Forbes, he said, “I want to thank Kawhi for his commitment to the USA Men’s National Team. He earned the opportunity to represent the United States, but USA Basketball and Clippers leadership felt it’s important to allow Kawhi to prepare for the NBA season.”
Why did Kawhi Leonard leave Team USA ahead of the Paris Olympics?
Kawhi Leonard has been suffering from knee issues which might have affected his performance on-court during the Paris Olympics.
Kawhi Leonard has been dealing with chronic knee issues, which led to his withdrawal from Team USA for the Paris Olympics and his replacement. According to the New York Times, Leonard participated fully in Team USA’s training camp and has shown a promising performance. However, the American coaching staff, led by Grant Hill, concluded that Leonard’s knee wasn’t sufficiently recovered to contribute effectively. Both the LA Clippers and the NBA were concerned that playing this summer could further aggravate his condition. This will jeopardize his readiness for the regular season. Leonard respected the decision to prioritize his long-term health.
