Kawhi Leonard completes Team USA’s 12-man basketball squad for the 2024 Olympics as the Clippers star joins LeBron James, Steph Curry and Co… but there’s no room for Jalen Brunson
- Kawhi Leonard and LA Clippers to face the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs
- Leonard has been out since March due to inflammation in his right knee.
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Kawhi Leonard has completed the 12-player roster for Team USA for the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
On Monday, ESPN reported that the United States had finalized 11 of the 12 spots on the list. Less than 24 hours later, The Athletic reported that the LA Clippers star would complete the team, according to sources.
According to ESPN Adrien Wojnarowski: “USA Basketball CEO Grant Hill has met with most of the 12 guests on the 2024 Olympic team over the past few days, and only today did Team USA officials were able to confirm Kawhi Leonard’s acceptance to join the list for Paris.’
Leonard will join fellow superstars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Joel Embiid in leading the Stars and Stripes.
Guards Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Tyrese Haliburton and Anthony Edwards have also committed to fulfilling their international assignment.
LA Clippers small forward Kawhi Leonard will round out Team USA’s roster for the Olympics.
Leonard joins fellow NBA stars LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid and Steph Curry
While Leonard is in last place, Knicks star Jalen Brunson has officially been left out.
Meanwhile, big Bam Adebayo and James Lakers running partner Anthony Davis will help bolster Team USA’s frontcourt.
News of Leonard’s selection came as fans campaigned and expected New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson to be chosen for the final spot on the roster.
Brunson made an immediate impact after joining the Orange and Blues last season. With a new group of teammates, Brunson took his game to new heights this year and gave New York one of its best seasons in recent memory, securing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
The former Villanova star averaged 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game, placing him 4th and 13th in those categories, respectively.
Leonard was drafted despite suffering knee complications before the NBA playoffs.
The Clippers finished with a 51-31 record and will face the Dallas Mavericks in the first round
Leonard was selected despite not having played a game for the Clippers since March 31. The forward’s status remains a game-time decision due to right knee inflammation as the Clippers prepare to face the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.
With the acquisition of James Harden, the Clippers – with Leonard leading the way – finished the season with a 51-31 record and clinched the fourth seed in the West. The Claw averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game.
Other notable names from the player pool released in January include Leonard’s Clippers teammates Harden and Paul George, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell and Jimmy Butler.
