As Team USA prepares for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, it could end up being without star guard Bradley Beal.
Multiple media reports noted on Wednesday that the Washington Wizards star has entered the COVID-19 protocol, leaving his status for the summer games in question.
“Bradley Beal’s chance to play for Team USA at this month’s Tokyo Olympics was thrown into doubt Wednesday night when the Wizards’ star entered USA Basketball’s coronavirus protocols at training camp in Las Vegas, according to people with knowledge of the situation,” Ava Wallace of The Washington Post reported.
Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to break this report after it was noted earlier on Wednesday that an unnamed player entered the aforementioned protocols.
Given that Bradley Beal is among the most-important players on the men’s basketball roster, this is no small thing. Remember, Team USA dropped two of its first three exhibition games in Las Vegas leading up to its Olympic opener against France on July 25.
From a broader perspective, the still-ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has been a major backstory as Japan prepares to host the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics. Should we see further issues when it comes to the Team USA men’s basketball team, this would be magnified further.
As for protocols for Team USA, it’s not yet known whether Bradley Beal was vaccinated from the virus. The International Olympic Committee is encouraging — but not mandating — athletes get vaccinated before competing.
