Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green will not be part of Team USA’s 41-player pool for the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, a decision influenced by his two NBA suspensions this season. USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill clarified this during a Zoom call with reporters, expressing respect for Green’s contributions but citing recent on-court incidents as the basis for his exclusion.
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Green’s Season of Suspensions: Draymond Green, a key figure in Team USA’s gold medal victories at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, faced setbacks this NBA season due to on-court incidents. In November, he was suspended for five games for a skirmish involving Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. A month later, Green received an indefinite suspension for hitting Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic, which lasted 12 games. The four-time NBA champion used the suspension period to undergo counseling and reflect on his behavior.
Therapy and Growth: Green embraced therapy during his suspension, using the time away from the court to focus on personal development. Speaking for the first time on January 9, Green highlighted the importance of the therapy sessions and acknowledged the need for self-improvement. The counseling sessions, according to Green, were instrumental in addressing the challenges he faced on and off the court.
Team USA’s Decision: Grant Hill emphasized that the decision to exclude Green from the Team USA pool was made in consideration of his current circumstances. Hill acknowledged the sensitivity of this period in Green’s career and stated that the team wanted to support him in his journey. The choice was made to allow Green to prioritize himself during the summer, focusing on both on and off-court aspects of his life.
Looking Forward: While Green will not be part of the 41-player pool for the Paris Olympics, his teammate Steph Curry has secured a spot. Coach Steve Kerr will lead the final 12-man roster to Paris, and a new coach will take charge afterward. As for Green, the exclusion from the 2024 Olympics raises questions about the possibility of participating in the 2028 Summer Olympics, given his age and the stage of his NBA career. With Green returning to action alongside the Warriors against the Atlanta Hawks, the focus now shifts to his contributions on the court for Golden State.
Conclusion: Draymond Green’s omission from Team USA’s 2024 Paris Summer Olympic pool reflects a decision influenced by his on-court incidents and subsequent suspensions. The focus on personal development and therapy during his time away from the game indicates a commitment to growth. As the Warriors resume their season, the exclusion opens discussions about Green’s potential participation in future Olympic events and the impact of his journey on and off the court.
