Despite his team’s struggles, Atlanta superstar Trae Young is having an amazing season. Voted in as a starter for his first-ever All-Star game, Young has earned a lot of attention from the community, averaging 29.7 points and 9.1 assists on 37% shooting from three.
Young was not afforded the honor of being named a finalist for Team USA, however, and many are wondering why. As an All-Star and one of the best shooters in the game, he seems like an ideal fit.
His own coach, Lloyd Pierce, explained the “snub” in laymen’s terms.
“No, because honestly I respect the league, I respect the levels and layers you have to go through,” Pierce said when asked by Hawks reporter Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution if he was surprised at Young’s exclusion. “Trae’s having a great year. These guys have had great careers. And you have to go through certain things and you have to understand when it’s your time, when it’s your opportunity. We’re talking about guys, three-time Olympic appearances, and international basketball is just different.”
"You have to understand when it’s your time, when it's your opportunity."
I asked Hawks coach (and Team USA assistant coach) Lloyd Pierce if it was hard to see Trae Young not named a finalist for the roster: pic.twitter.com/nEkiSbvGQq
— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) February 10, 2020
Pierce later clarified his comments:
"He deserves to be a first-time All-Star this year, he deserves to be a starter, and he deserves an opportunity to the Olympics. And his time will come."
Lloyd Pierce clarified his earlier comments on Trae Young: pic.twitter.com/c2lBSjbvv1
— Sarah K. Spencer (@sarah_k_spence) February 11, 2020
As good as Trae is, he is competing for spots against guys like Russell Westbrook, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, and Chris Paul.
For now, he just doesn’t have the history or resume to earn the honor of lacing up for Team USA. But at 21-years-old, with the way he’s playing, there is no doubt that his time will come.
