Following their NBA championship, three Boston Celtics players joined another winning team: Team USA. Despite the departure of Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard, 2017 Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was not named to the loaded squad for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Derrick White of the Celtics, who was reunited with teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday, received the call instead. A 2024 All-Star, Brown possesses more than enough skill to play Olympic gold for the United States. Prior to the 2023–24 regular season, he expressed how important it would be to him to play in France this summer.
While some internet observers conjectured that Brown was angry with White for turning down an invitation from Team USA, it’s obvious that these observers weren’t observing the Celtics’ synergy during their 2024 championship run. According to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, White clarified that despite all the outside commotion, everything between him and the three-time All-Star was excellent.
“Yes, you didn’t need to call me,” I said to Jaylen when he called. I’m sure we’re doing well,” the first-time Olympian remarked. “I reassured him we’re all good when he called and said he just wants to clear things up. We never had any issues or problems, that’s for sure. He is a terrific player, and I have nothing but positive things to say about JB.
