Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love is withdrawing from Team USA just days before the Olympics, becoming the latest member of the men’s basketball team to leave the roster.
Love, age 32, was selected for the Team USA’s 12-man roster in June, with managing director Jerry Colangelo citing the All-Star forward’s size and his international experience.
Unfortunately, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Love is still working his way back from a right calf injury that ultimately forced him to make this decision.
“I am incredibly disappointed to not be heading to Tokyo with Team USA, but you need to be at absolute peak performance to compete at the Olympic level and I am just not there yet.”
Kevin Love on his decision to leave Team USA, via agent Jeff Schwartz
The departure of Kevin Love is just the latest change for a roster that will require a significant overhaul before Team USA opens the Group Phase schedule on June 25 against France. After dropping exhibitions to Nigeria and Australia, injuries and COVID-19 are now impacting the roster.
Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal was ruled out for the Olympics due to COVID-19. Meanwhile, forward Jerami Grant is in COVID safety protocols as he undergoes further testing for the virus.
With only a few days before the team leaves for Tokyo, Team USA must fill three roster spots with players who haven’t had time to gel with a team thrown together rather quickly.