LOS ANGELES – Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee and San Antonio Spurs guard Keldon Johnson were named to the US Olympic men’s basketball team Friday as replacements for Cleveland’s Kevin Love and Washington’s Bradley Beal.
Beal had been ruled out for Tokyo on Thursday, a day after being placed into COVID-19 protocols, while Love withdrew from the team Friday, citing a right calf injury that nagged him during the 2020-21 NBA campaign.
“Our hearts truly break for Brad and Kevin, who did everything asked but for unfortunate and different reasons will be unable to join us in Tokyo,” USA Basketball national team managing director Jerry Colangelo said.
“Keldon has played well during our training camp and in the exhibition games in Las Vegas and being a member of the San Antonio Spurs he is familiar with the things coach Gregg Popovich wants this team to do.
“JaVale has been involved in our USA National Team program since 2009 and we believe he will offer a valuable inside presence.”