PLAYA VISTA — Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, if healthy, will make his Olympic debut this summer after being named to the 12th and final spot on the U.S. team heading into the Paris Games.
Leonard recently said he was happy to be considered for the next event after securing a spot ahead of the postponed 2020 Tokyo Games.
“It’s good. Just them seeing my hard work, seeing that I’ve progressed and I’m happy to be a finalist,” he said.
Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, was scheduled to make his debut at the Tokyo 2020 Games before they were postponed to 2021, but the six-time All-Star dropped out due to prior commitments.
USA Basketball CEO Grant Hill met with most of the 12 guests on the 2024 Olympic team over the past few days, but Leonard’s participation was not secured until Tuesday, according to ESPN, which was the first to inform him.
Leonard’s late addition rounds out a roster that includes Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, as well as Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, Suns guard Devin Booker and the Indiana Pacers. guard Tyrese Haliburton, Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, Celtics guard Jrue Holiday and Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.
The biggest question mark is whether Leonard will be healthy for the Olympics, which begin in July. He missed the Clippers’ final eight regular-season games due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee and his status for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday remains uncertain.
The Olympic team will be coached by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Clippers coach Tyronn Lue, Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and Gonzaga coach Mark Few will serve as his assistants.
The Paris Olympics begin July 26, and the United States is expected to hold a training camp and preseason tour before departing for France.
Leonard is averaging 23.7 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Clippers this season.
Tatum, Durant, Booker, Holiday and Adebayo return from the team that won gold at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The Paris Games will be the first Olympics for Curry, who was scheduled to play for Team USA in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, but withdrew due to knee and ankle injuries. It will also be the first Olympics for Embiid, who signed in October to play for Team USA against France and his native Cameroon. Embiid holds dual American and French citizenship.
The last three major international basketball tournaments have been held in Asia, and schedule changes and the COVID pandemic have made it difficult to secure superstar player commitments for Team USA.
Hill said competing in the 2023 World Cup was not a requirement to be considered for the Olympic team.
The Olympic team will be coached by Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra and Gonzaga coach Mark Few will serve as his assistants.
The United States is expected to hold a training camp and preseason tour before departing for France.
Leonard, who is averaging 23.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, was limited during Tuesday’s practice, participating in only “a quarter” of the drills, according to Lue.
California Daily Newspapers
