Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from the Team USA basketball team for the upcoming Olympics in Paris, USA Basketball announced on Wednesday.
Leonard played only 68 games during the 2023-24 NBA season as he’s dealt with chronic knee soreness and inflammation.
An update on Kawhi Leonard from the USA Basketball Men’s National Team. pic.twitter.com/84TjYpc90i
USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 10, 2024
“Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas,” said a statement from USA Basketball. “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.”
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Derrick White of the Boston Celtics is a strong possibility to replace Leonard on the roster.
This story will be updated.