Report: Johnson, McGee Selected As USA Basketball Replacements For Beal, Love
Jul 16, 2021, 11:11 AM | Updated: 11:23 am
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – USA Basketball selected Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee as replacements for Bradley Beal and Kevin Love in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Johnson and Love were reportedly added to Team USA’s roster on Friday, July 16.
The moves come after Beal was forced off the roster due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Love departed the roster because ongoing recovery from a calf injury.
According to the NBA insider, McGee will travel to Las Vegas, Nevada and join Team USA on Saturday, July 17.
Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee will replace Bradley Beal and Kevin Love on Team USA's roster for the Olympics, sources tell ESPN. McGee will travel to Las Vegas to join team on Saturday. https://t.co/236CgYVau0
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 16, 2021
Johnson had been participating in USA Basketball as a member of the USA Select group, which helps the Olympic roster prepare for the Games.
In addition to his prior involvement with Team USA, Johnson plays in the NBA for USA and Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich.
During the 2020-21 regular season, Johnson averaged 12.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game.
McGee’s first experience with USA Basketball came during a minicamp in 2009. He previously expressed interest in playing for the Philippine National Team.
Last season, McGee started the year with the Cleveland Cavaliers and was traded to the Nuggets in March. He finished the season with averages of 7.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per contest.
Team USA will compete in the Tokyo Olympics from July 23-August 8.