Boston Celtics guard Derrick White has been named as a replacement for Kawhi Leonard on Team USA's Olympic roster. Leonard had initially been selected to join the team but withdrew due to his decision to focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
White, who averaged 15.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.2 rebounds during the previous NBA season, was a member of the USA Basketball team that finished seventh in the FIBA World Cup in 2019 and was also a finalist for the Tokyo Olympics.
Team USA begins its exhibition schedule on July 13 against Canada, with White joining teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday on the roster. The US national team will face Serbia in its Olympic pool-play opener on July 28.
Leonard, who has a history of injuries and had missed games due to load management throughout his career, was named as a finalist for both the 2016 and 2020 Olympics but had not yet competed in the Games. His withdrawal from Team USA marks the second time he has missed out on representing his country in international competition.
White's addition to Team USA comes after a dominant playoff run with the Celtics, where he helped lead them to an NBA championship and was named MVP of both the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. White's versatility, excellent defense, and ability to contribute without needing the ball in his hands make him an excellent addition to Team USA.
Jaylen Brown, who was also a finalist for Team USA and had been considered a strong contender for Leonard's replacement, expressed his disappointment on social media after being snubbed from the roster. Brown put up big numbers throughout Boston's title run and won MVP of both the Eastern Conference Finals and the NBA Finals.
