Steph Curry reacted to the latest news of Kawhi Leonard withdrawing from Team USA’s camp.
After the Team USA win against Canada, Curry emphasized that Leonard wanted to play.
“Kawhi gave it everything he had when he was preparing in these last three days of camp,” Curry said. “There was a mutual conversation between USAB leadership and Kawhi’s team just to make sure he’s set up for success.”
“Obviously, they’re tough decisions. I know he wanted to play, but it’s one of those things where he wished us luck and get the goal. That kind of support from a guy in a situation like that.
Hopefully, for the long term, he’s in a good place because the game needs him, and when he’s not out there, you miss an all-time great player. We hope that he’s ready for the season,” Curry added.
Leonard impressed during Team USA training but dealt with an injury late in the season. He missed almost the entirety of the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks this year.
The 33-year-old skipped the 2023-24 season’s last eight games and then four more in the playoffs due to inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
The six-time All-Star averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this past season. Although Leonard has never played for Team USA, he practiced with the squad before the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
The Olympics, where the US has won the men’s basketball tournament four straight times, will be held from July 26 to August 11 in Paris. Team USA will meet Serbia, South Sudan, and Puerto Rico in the group stage.
