Staff USA had a spot open on its roster Wednesday after it determined to ship Kawhi Leonard residence as he battled via a knee harm.
There have been loads of star-studded gamers who might have crammed that spot, together with Jaylen Brown. However USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill went in a special course and selected Brown’s Celtics teammate Derrick White as a substitute.
Hill opened up concerning the resolution to convey White onto the 12-player Olympic staff and he felt White’s unselfish nature taking part in alongside stars on the Celtics made him an excellent match to affix Staff USA’s extremely proficient squad.
“It is bittersweet, clearly, however we’re thrilled so as to add Derrick White,” Hill advised reporters, per ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “I have been a giant fan of Derrick’s, clearly. He simply gained a championship. One of many many issues that I actually love about Derrick, and significantly along with his staff, is I do not really feel like his position modifications a lot with our staff from what he does with the Celtics.
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“He performs alongside two extremely nice younger gamers in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. And this setting is tough whenever you are available and also you’re the middle of your universe, and now you must set up a job, and it could be completely different than what you must do together with your staff. And so to have somebody who can are available and play off of men, be complementary to some others, however then additionally stand out and be a dynamite defensive participant, knock down pictures, simply influence profitable.”
Hill added White will not go to Las Vegas, the place Staff USA is holding coaching camp and performed in its first exhibition contest towards Canada on Wednesday night time, as he wanted time to get issues so as earlier than departing. As a substitute, White is predicted to be with the staff Saturday for its first apply in Abu Dhabi.
White turned in one of the best season of his profession throughout the 2023-24 marketing campaign with the Celtics. The 30-year-old tallied profession highs in factors (15.2), assists (5.2) and rebounds (4.2) per sport whereas taking pictures 39.6% from past the arc to assist the Celtics to the NBA title. He was additionally named to the NBA’s All-Defensive Second Staff for the second straight season.
And after turning into an integral a part of a championship staff, White will get to observe that up by making an attempt to win a gold medal.
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