On Monday, Team USA guard Zach LaVine was placed on health and safety protocol and did not travel to Tokyo with the rest of the team for the Olympics today. In a statement, USA Basketball expressed hope that LaVine would be able to join the squad in Japan sooner than later. He’s the third Team USA player to go under the health and safety protocols in the last week. Bradley Beal was forced to leave the team due to protocol. In addition, Jerami Grant was in isolation for four days due to contact tracing, but remains on the roster.
Team USA had to cancel its exhibition game against Australia set for last Friday due to the initial COVID-19 exposures. On Sunday, the team completed its exhibition series by defeating Spain. That game included LaVine.
The team will now have to travel with only eight players, which is a significant setback. LaVine had started the previous two exhibition games in Beal’s place and looked solid throughout the Olympic build-up. In the four exhibition games, the Team USA guard scored 10.3 points per game, ranking third on the team behind Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant.
Who will replace the Team USA Guard?
Team USA went 2-2 in Olympic warmups, with losses to Nigeria and Australia raising concerns about the team’s chances at medaling . The opening ceremony for the Olympics will take place on Friday. In addition, Team USA will begin Olympic competition on July 25 against France. It’s unclear whether they will be able to replace LaVine if he is unable to join the team in Tokyo.
Team USA will wait for Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Devin Booker to complete the NBA Finals before joining them. Coach Gregg Popovich stated on Sunday that the players could arrive in Japan only 24 hours before the team plays France.
Written by John Galietta
Instagram: @jgalietta17
Twitter: @jgalietta17
