Derrick White will compete in the Olympics in Paris as Kawhi Leonard leaves Team USA.

The roster of the American men’s basketball squad has been modified.
USA Basketball said on Wednesday that guard Derrick White of the Boston Celtics would take Kawhi Leonard’s position as the Los Angeles Clippers forward in the Paris Olympics.

“Kawhi Leonard has been ramping up for the Olympics over the past several weeks and had a few strong practices in Las Vegas,” added the statement. “He felt prepared to face off. He does, however, appreciate the decision made by USA Basketball and the Clippers that it would be better for him to spend the rest of the summer getting ready for the next campaign rather than competing in the Olympics in Paris.”
Over the last several years, the 33-year-old Leonard has struggled with a number of ailments. Before suiting up for 68 games in 2023–24, he had played 60 games or less in four consecutive seasons. However, right knee soreness kept him out of the Clippers’ last three playoff games.
Speaking to media earlier this week at the Team USA training camp, Leonard said that he felt prepared to compete for his nation in his first Olympics since his injury had improved.
The Americans will play Canada in an exhibition on Wednesday night in Las Vegas after Leonard’s withdrawal and White’s arrival. Kevin Durant is already expected to miss the game because of a calf ailment.
The following tune-ups for Team USA are set for July 15 in Abu Dhabi against Australia, July 17 in Abu Dhabi against Serbia, July 20 in London against South Sudan, and July 22 in London against Germany. On July 28, Serbia and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic will play in the first match of the Olympics.Similar to this flexible defender, the recently crowned NBA champion plays numerous positions.
White, a member of Team USA for the 2019 World Cup, led the Celtics in scoring last season with a career-high 15.2 points per game. Across 19 playoff games, he raised his scoring average to 16.7 while making crucial defensive plays on many occasions and shooting 40.4% from outside the field.

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