Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine was placed in health and safety protocols and will not travel with Team USA to Tokyo for the Olympics.
The United States’ men’s basketball has had some roster turnover in the weeks leading into the 2020 Summer Olympics. Washington Wizards star Bradley Beal will miss the event after being placed in health and safety protocols, and Jerami Grant of the Detroit Pistons was placed in contact tracing quarantine. Now, the team has another player placed in health and safety protocols.
USA Basketball announced on Monday that Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine was placed in health and safety protocols and will not travel with the team to Tokyo for the Olympics. However, the team hopes that LaVine will be able to join them later in the week.
Zach LaVine placed in health and safety protocols, won’t travel with Team USA to Tokyo
With LaVine sidelined for now, Team USA has Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard as their only true guard. USA Basketball is awaiting Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks to join the team once the NBA Finals reach a conclusion.
Beal and Cleveland Cavaliers big man Kevin Love, who was pulled from the Olympics due to injury, were effectively replaced by Keldon Johnson of the San Antonio Spurs and JaVale McGee of the Denver Nuggets.
LaVine played in Team USA’s final exhibition game against Spain this past Sunday, where he recorded 13 points (5-for-8 from the field) in 22 minutes of playing time in the 83-76 victory.
We will continue to keep you updated on LaVine’s status once more details are revealed.