Final Spot For USA Men's Basketball Team Has Reportedly Been Filled

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – SEPTEMBER 1: Head Coach Steve Kerr of the USA Men’s Senior National Team looks on during the game against Montenegro in the second round as part of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on September 1, 2023 at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines. Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images) Stephen Gosling/Getty Images

Team USA has reportedly chosen the 12th player for a loaded Olympics men’s basketball roster.

According to USA Today’s Jeff Zilgitt, Kawhi Leonard will round out the U.S. team. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously revealed the 11 players expected to join the Olympic squad:

• LeBron James
• Stephen Curry
• Kevin Durant
• Joel Embiid
• Jayson Tatum
• Devin Booker
• Tyrese Haliburton
• Jrue Holiday
• Anthony Edwards
• Anthony Davis
• Bam Adebayo

Wojnarowski wrote that Team USA planned to keep one spot open ahead of July’s training camp. That may no longer be the case.

Although a finalist for the 2016 and 2021 rosters, Leonard has never represented the U.S. in the Olympics. He likely would have reunited with former San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in Tokyo three years ago had he not torn his ACL during the 2021 postseason.

Leonard played 68 games this season, his highest output since 2016-17. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year and NBA Finals MVP averaged 23.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, but Leonard missed the final eight games of the regular season with a right knee injury.

The 32-year-old’s status is uncertain entering the Clippers’ first-round playoff matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. However, Wojnarowski said Sunday that the Clippers aren’t overly concerned about Leonard’s availability.

Leonard preparing to play in the Olympics seems like a good sign of him competing this postseason. The series starts Sunday in Los Angeles.

If landing the final spot, Leonard would join a stacked team over the likes of Jalen Brunson, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, and Clippers teammate Paul George. Steve Kerr will coach Team USA in Paris this summer.