Draymond Green Not Included on Team USA Due to Suspensions

USA Basketball executive director Grant Hill disclosed on Wednesday that Draymond Green, a two-time gold medalist, was excluded from the provisional 41-man player pool for the Paris Olympics this summer.

The decision was attributed to Draymond Green suspensions with the Golden State Warriors during the current NBA season, according to ESPN.

Hill acknowledged Green's significant contributions to USA Basketball but explained the decision.

"But I think just in lieu of sort of what's transpired this year, we made a decision to not have [Green] on this list with this particular point in time with the process," Hill said.

The absence of Green from the list was surprising, considering his valuable role as a versatile defender and the historical support he has received from Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who is also the team USA coach.

Draymond Green Suspensions and Rehabilitation

Draymond Green faced a five-game suspension in November for a skirmish with Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, per NBC Sports.

Another incident in December, involving a confrontation with Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic, resulted in an indefinite suspension lasting 12 games.

Green began counseling during this suspension, expressing commitment to personal growth.

The therapy sessions were pivotal for Draymond Green, who broke his silence on January 9, emphasizing their importance.

Grant Hill highlighted that allowing Green to focus on himself during the summer instead of playing for Team USA was in the player's best interest.

"We all understand and certainly have great respect and sensitivity to this particular period in his career, and he's working through some things both on and off the court," Hill said. "And so we at USA basketball wanted to support him on his journey, and we just didn't feel that playing over the summer gives him the best opportunity to do what he needs to do."

Green returned to play in one game for the Warriors on January 15, and the team is set to resume action against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.

USA Basketball Announces 41-Athlete Player Pool for 2024 Olympics

USA Basketball unveiled a provisional 41-athlete player pool for the 2024 USA Basketball Men's National Team, NBA noted.

The players, selected by managing director Grant Hill, are subject to change.

The final 12-member team representing the United States at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris will be announced later.

The pool features 28 players with prior experience in the Olympics and/or FIBA Men's World Cup, collectively possessing 23 Olympic or World Cup gold medals.

Notable names in the pool include Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and others.

Grant Hill expressed excitement about the talent pool.

"The United States boasts unbelievable basketball talent, and I am thrilled that many of the game's superstars have expressed interest in representing our country at the 2024 Olympic Summer Games," Hill said.

The 2024 USA Men's National Team will be led by head coach Steve Kerr and assisted by Mark Few, Tyronn Lue, and Erik Spoelstra.

The coaching quartet previously led the 2023 USA Basketball Men's National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA Men's World Cup in Manila.

Kerr is a 2020 Olympic gold medalist after serving as an assistant coach in Tokyo.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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