Derrick White will replace Kawhi Leonard when he heads to the 2024 Paris Olympics to represent Team USA, according to an announcement via social media Thursday afternoon.
The news of White came shortly after USA Basketball issued a statement that Leonard, who was originally named to the roster, withdrew from the team and would not play in the Summer Games, due to working his way back from a knee injury he sustained late last season -- which kept him out for the majority of the Clippers first-round loss in the playoffs.
"Kawhi has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas," USA basketball said via their statement. "He felt ready to compete. However, he respects that USA Basketball and the Clippers determined it's in his best interest to spend the remainder of the summer preparing for the upcoming season rather than participating in the Olympic Games in Paris."
With the addition of White, it gives Team USA a trio of Celtics -- including Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday -- fresh off an NBA championship. The veteran guard, who just turned 30 recently, also just inked a four-year, $125.9 million contract extension with the C's last week.
White was considered a possible replacement last month during the NBA Finals after his previous experience with the national team, playing at the 2019 FIBA World Cup alongside Tatum and Jaylen Brown -- who some believe was snubbed this time around. It ended up with a disappointing seventh-place finish after back-to-back losses against France and Serbia.
Tatum and Holiday are both making their return from their gold medal run with Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The United States are heavy favorites, as they're seeking their fifth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics in men's basketball when they head to Paris later this month.
Joel Pavón
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