Bradley Beal will miss the Olympics after being placed into health and safety protocols and the U.S. men’s basketball team said it will replace him on its roster at a later date.
The Americans also announced Thursday that forward Jerami Grant has also been played in health and safety protocols “out of an abundance of caution.”
Beal had started all three exhibition games for the U.S. so far in Las Vegas, averaging 10.3 points on 10-for-21 shooting.
The Washington Wizards guard was second in the NBA this season with 31.3 points per game. Coach Gregg Popovich said it was devastating news for Beal and his family.
“I’m dying for him,” Popovich said. “We all are.”
Beal was expected to play for the Americans two years ago in the Basketball World Cup in China, but had to withdraw from consideration before training camp for family reasons.
He finally had his chance to suit up for the senior national team now and he seemed ready for it.
After scoring just two points in the Americans’ loss to Nigeria in their opener, he followed with 12 points against Australia and then had 17 on Monday against Argentina in the first U.S. victory.
“Bradley is no doubt a huge loss. He was playing very well, understanding everything and fit in well with the group,” Popovich said. “So there’s no next Bradley Beal.”
Beal’s NBA team was hit hard by a coronavirus outbreak early in the season and every club had to navigate players going in and out of the lineup because of the strict protocols in place.
Golden State’s Draymond Green said it’s difficult to see the impact the virus still has after 17 or 18 months.
“The experience, the opportunity to represent your country is one that you all dream about growing up,” Green said. “So to see that opportunity taken away, you can only sympathize with Brad.”
The Americans have already been playing short-handed during their exhibition games, with Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday of Milwaukee and Devin Booker of Phoenix playing in the NBA Finals.
Popovich said the challenge for the Americans will be finding a player who is in good shape, after the NBA regular season ended in May.
He said they are going through names who are available and trying to see who would be a fit. He added that the Americans wouldn’t be able to replace Beal as a scorer and might end up with someone like a utility player in baseball.
The Americans are scheduled to play two more games in Las Vegas before heading to Tokyo, with their opening game against France set for July 25.
The NBA All-Star will not participate in the Olympics due to health and safety protocols.
