Jaylen Brown Remains a Possible Candidate for Team USA
Jaylen Brown expressed frustration at being overlooked by Team USA after Kawhi Leonard’s injury created an available roster spot that wasn’t offered to him, despite being the reigning NBA Finals MVP and a three-time All-Star. He took to social media to voice his displeasure and suggested that Nike, the main sponsor for USA Basketball, influenced the decision to include his Boston Celtics teammate Derrick White instead. Brown, who is not sponsored by Nike, has previously criticized the company’s ethics.
However, there might be another opportunity for Brown. According to Joe Vardon of The Athletic, if Kevin Durant is unable to play in the Olympics, Brown’s name could come up as a potential replacement.
Durant is recovering from a calf injury, which has made him unlikely to participate in Monday’s Olympic exhibition against Australia, although the severity of the injury remains unclear.
Jrue Holiday, one of the three Celtics players selected over Brown, was an exception among the roster, which primarily favored role players like White. Traditionally, USA Basketball tends to rely on star players for its Olympic teams, which has continued in 2024.
LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Devin Booker are not typical “role players.”
“You have to build a team. One of the toughest parts is leaving off players I admire and look forward to watching throughout the season,” said Grant Hill, managing director of the USA men’s national team. “These are guys who’ve been Finals MVPs and gold medalists. My responsibility is to assemble a cohesive team.”
Brown, who averaged 23 points on 49.9% shooting last season, didn’t provide much of a reaction during the ESPY Awards but emphasized that there are factors behind the scenes that are not fully known. “It feels great to have support, and one day I’ll share my story,” he told Sports Illustrated. “People don’t have all the information they’d like to know. It’s just great to be here at the ESPYs holding up the Larry O’Brien.”
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