NBA superstar Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from Team USA’s basketball roster for the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Boston Celtics guard Derrick White taking his spot. The sudden shakeup comes after Leonard’s right knee injury cut his playoff run short earlier this year. 🩹
USA Basketball confirmed the swap Wednesday, praising Leonard’s commitment but stating that \"preparing for the upcoming [NBA] season\" was prioritized for the Clippers forward. White, fresh off helping the Celtics win the 2024 NBA championship, now joins a star-studded lineup featuring LeBron James and Steph Curry. 🏆
Leonard’s absence is a blow – he averaged 23.7 points this season, his healthiest since 2016-17. But White brings defensive hustle and clutch playoff experience. Can Team USA still dominate? The world watches as training continues. 🌍👀
