20.8 C
New York
Friday, February 7, 2025

USA Basketball made the decision to ship Kawhi Leonard house within the ‘greatest curiosity’ of the group: ‘We needed to pivot’


Join Fox News for entry to this content material

You have reached your most variety of articles. Log in or create an account FREE of cost to proceed studying.

By coming into your electronic mail and pushing proceed, you’re agreeing to Fox News’ Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, which incorporates our Notice of Financial Incentive.

Please enter a legitimate electronic mail handle.

The resolution to exchange Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard simply weeks forward of the Paris Olympics was finally made within the “greatest curiosity” of the U.S. males’s nationwide group, USA Basketball govt director Grant Hill stated Wednesday. 

In a press convention forward of Team USA’s exhibition match in opposition to Canada at T-Mobile Arena, Grant addressed the state of affairs. He clarified that the choice had been finally made by USA basketball on Tuesday, with enter from the Clippers. 

Grant Hill USA Basketball exhibition game

Grant Hill appears to be like on throughout the sport between Team USA and Team Canada on July 10, 2024, on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE through Getty Images)

“We simply felt that we needed to pivot, and to not get into the particulars when it comes to what went into the choice, however we simply felt it was in our greatest curiosity, but in addition within the Clippers’ and Kawhi’s greatest curiosity, to maneuver into a special route,” he stated.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

“We tried. I feel all of us tried, and we gave it a valiant effort, and sadly, we’ve got to maneuver ahead.”

When pressed additional concerning the decision-making, Hill confirmed that USA Basketball had made the decision to ship Leonard house. 

“We did. Ultimately, he was despatched house, however we had been in dialog with the Clippers on that.”

Kawhi Leonard vs UNLV

Kawhi Leonard, #8 of the 2024 USA Basketball Men’s National Team, walks on the courtroom after a apply session throughout the group’s coaching camp on the Mendenhall Center at UNLV on July 8, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

KAWHI LEONARD WITHDRAWS FROM USA BASKETBALL OLYMPIC TEAM

Plans to carry Leonard to the Summer Olympics had been finally modified due to the NBA participant’s earlier harm. He missed 12 of the Clippers’ remaining 14 video games this previous season as a result of proper knee irritation – one thing he stated over the weekend was doing effectively.

But USA Basketball wasn’t taking any probabilities.

“He needed to be right here like all these guys wish to be right here,” Hill continued. “And we don’t take that calmly in any respect. It speaks to this system and the chance. Personally talking, I do know what it’s prefer to wish to do one thing and your physique is simply not proper. And I’ve lived that personally. And so, I applaud him for coming right here and being prepared to sacrifice, hand over his summer time and characterize our nation and play for our program. It simply finally didn’t work out.” 

Steph Curry acknowledges crowd

Stephen Curry, #4 of the USA Basketball Men’s Team, celebrates after the sport in opposition to the Canada Basketball Men’s Team on July 10, 2024, on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Brian Babineau/NBAE through Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Derrick White of the NBA champion Boston Celtics was as an alternative picked to exchange Leonard on Wednesday. 

“I’m glad to announce that Derrick will compete at his first Olympic Games on the heels of a championship season in Boston,” Hill stated. “We stay up for him becoming a member of the group within the coming days as we proceed preparations for Paris.”

Team USA will open their Olympic journey with a gaggle stage sport in opposition to Serbia on July 28. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle publication.  





Latest Posts

Don't Miss