LAS VEGAS — Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Kawhi Leonard has withdrawn from the U.S. men's senior basketball team and will not play in the 2024 Paris Olympics, the United States Basketball Association announced Wednesday.
“Kawhi has been training in recent weeks in preparation for the Olympics, attending several practice sessions in Las Vegas,” USA Basketball Association said in a statement. “He felt ready to compete. However, he respects the decision of USA Basketball Association and the Clippers that it is in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for next season rather than competing in the Olympic Games in Paris.”
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White will replace Leonard, a person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA Today Sports, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly until an announcement is made.
Leonard, who missed the Clippers' final three playoff games in April because of a sore right knee, arrived in Las Vegas for the team's training camp last week and told reporters Sunday he felt fine.
“It's good. I'm ready to go,” Leonard told reporters. “Right now I'm playing and I'm happy.”
He admitted he had some apprehension about competing in the Olympics, but said, “I took my time and I was able to turn it around in the last two weeks, so now I'm here and I'm having a good time.”
Leonard had surgery three years ago to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament and a year ago to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
He missed the final eight games of the regular season.
