Team USA is preparing their probable team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in France, with a 41-player shortlist already being announced. While the list included all-time greats such as LeBron James, Stephen Cury, and Kevin Durant, Draymond Green was left off the list intentionally. USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill decided to leave Green off due to his disciplinary issues.
Green was hurt that Hill did not explain the reason to him, calling himself a Grant Hill fan before explaining that he’ll stay ready if he gets called at any point.
“When I came into the NBA, there were two people I was starstruck by. One was Kobe Bryant, the second was Grant Hill. I grew up in the state of Michigan during the Grant Hill Detroit Pistons. I wish he would have said that to me, especially if you’re going to say that publicly. It hurt me from a fan standpoint as well, I was a big fan of Grant Hill. If I got a call because someone dropped off the list for unforeseen reasons and I need to fill a spit, I’ll be ready with my bags packed because I am not too big to be second.
Draymond Green says he’s ready to play in the Olympics
"If I got a call… I'll be ready with my bags packed"
(🎥 @TheVolumeSports )
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 29, 2024
It seems highly unlikely that Draymond Green will find himself called up for Team USA even if someone ends up dropping out. Green featured on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Gold-medal winning squad and was a crucial element in the success the national team enjoyed.
With a roster expected to feature the 12-best American players, Green doesn’t stand a chance of making the team ahead of forwards such as Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, and even Mikal Bridges. Being left off the 41-man list must have hurt Green, but his chances of actually making it to the Olympics were low from the beginning.
Why Did Grant Hill Exclude Draymond Green?
Draymond Green was singled out by Grant Hill when the former NBA star explained why the selection committee chose to overlook Green. Hill made it clear that Green’s behavioral concerns from earlier this season played a major factor in the decision.
“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… We at USA Basketball, want to support him on his journey. We just didn’t feel that playing over the summer gives him the best opportunity to do what he needs to do.”
USA Basketball was likely not going to select Green for the final roster anyway, as the perfect team for the competition wouldn’t feature Green ahead of other talented American frontcourt players. However, using Green’s behavioral indiscretions as the reason behind it without communicating the same to Green just shows poor form from Team USA and Grant Hill.
Green averaged 3.5 points and 2.8 assists the last time he represented Team USA at the 2020 Olympics. With an expanded selection pool for this year’s competition in Paris, the decision to keep Green home can’t be faulted.
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