Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown was unfortunately never included in Team USA’s roster for the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics. For an NBA executive, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP will be displayed on the international stage, showcasing his impressive ball skills against diverse opponents.
In an interview with Rachel Nichols of the “Open Run,” Grant Hill remains confident that in the upcoming Olympics, Brown will be included in the future Team USA rosters and that other talented players will shape the next generation of the NBA.
“It’s been a learning experience, when you have a team with the profile of players on this team, you know there’s going to be controversy. I knew that coming in.”
Hill admitted that the current Team USA will only be partially composed of young players anyway. He recognized the fact that the selection of players is based on preferred team composition and strategy.
An example of this preference is that Brown’s teammate, Derrick White, was instead chosen to replace the injured Kawhi Leonard.
The three-time NBA All-Star was disappointed when he wasn’t picked for Team USA as Leonard’s fill-in. His social media expressions brought controversy, especially regarding his ongoing issue with Nike.
However, Hill already expected that issues like the one on Brown will also come up.
“It’s been a learning experience when you have a team with the profile of” players on this team, you know there’s going to be controversy. I knew that coming in. It was disappointing, but you gotta do your job the best you can. I’ve tried to do this the right way.”
Two of Brown’s Boston teammates, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White, are currently on the roster of Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Hill, one of the team’s executives, personally called the rejected players, such as Brown, Lillard, and George, to explain why they weren’t chosen in the official roster.
So far, Team USA remains undefeated in Paris.
A look at Jaylen Brown’s performance last NBA season
The 2024 NBA champion has some good reasons to be included in Team USA. Last season, he averaged 23.0 points, a career-high 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 5.5 rebounds at the end of the regular season. His fellow star, Jayson Tatum, is often in the spotlight at that time.
In the postseason, Brown scored 23.9 points, 3.3 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. He was eventually named the NBA Finals MVP.
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