Paul George Thought He Was Selected To Team USA But Later Found Out He Was Rejected

Paul George recently shared an intriguing story on the '7PM in Brooklyn' show about his journey with Team USA for the 2024 Olympics. He recounted how he initially believed he had secured a spot on the team, only to later find out he had been passed over.

"Steve Kerr came to me after we played the Warriors in LA and asked if I had any interest in being on Team USA. I said, 'Hell yeah, I want to play.' So, I'm thinking I'm in, like I'm part of that group, you know what I mean? Fast forward, Aaron and my group reached out to Team USA and talked to Grant Hill."

"They informed them that I was interested. I said, 'If I finish the season healthy,' because that was my whole thing in LA—I was getting hurt and not finishing the season. I said, 'If I finish healthy, hell yeah, I want to play.'"

"Then I'm seeing it on the Gram like this n***a getting a jersey, they giving this n***a a jersey. I'm like, 'Where's my post? When are they going to hit me up?' Then, I ran into Grant Hill during the playoffs in Dallas, and he said it just didn't happen this year."

"I understood it; obviously, I wasn't going to be sour about it. But at the same time, it was like, damn, I was looking forward to representing the USA and being part of that team. Having gone through it already, it was a blast. I learned so much and felt like I grew as a player from that process. So, I wouldn't say I was hurt." (20:52)

Here, George explains that he was directly approached by Team USA head coach Steve Kerr about his interest in joining the team. His enthusiastic response led him to believe that he was already considered part of the roster.

He had struggled with injuries in recent seasons, so his commitment to join Team USA was contingent on him finishing the NBA season in good health. George expresses his surprise and disappointment upon seeing other players being announced on social media while he received no confirmation of his own selection.

His encounter with Grant Hill, the managing director of Team USA, provided clarity that he would not be included in the roster for this year. He reflects on his excitement about potentially representing his country again.

Reflecting on his previous experience with Team USA , George highlights how valuable it was for his personal and professional growth. Despite not being selected this time, he remains appreciative of the opportunity he once had and looks forward to future possibilities.

Team USA Made A Mistake Selecting Kawhi Leonard Over Paul George

Team USA made a significant mistake in selecting Kawhi Leonard over Paul George for the 2024 Olympics. While both players have struggled with injuries, Leonard's track record is notably worse than George's. The decision to choose Leonard, who eventually had to pull out of the squad due to health issues , left Team USA in a precarious position and led to Derrick White being named as the replacement.

The Clippers, who had both players at the time, should have communicated better with Leonard about the importance of staying healthy for the team's success. By failing to do so, they missed an opportunity to have a more reliable player in George represent Team USA. George, who later moved to the Philadelphia 76ers after leaving the Clippers, signed a $212 million contract following the Clippers' failure to reach an agreement with him.

George, one of the league's top wings, deserved a spot on Team USA. At 34, this Olympic opportunity could be his last chance to represent his country on such a prestigious stage. It is unlikely that George will compete in the 2028 games in Los Angeles, given that he will be 38 years old by then.

Ultimately, Team USA's choice to prioritize Leonard over George was a misstep. George's skills, experience, and relatively better health profile made him a more suitable candidate for the team.

This decision not only deprived George of a potentially final Olympic appearance but also weakened Team USA's roster due to Leonard's predictable withdrawal. Moving forward, Team USA should carefully evaluate players' health histories and potential contributions to avoid similar pitfalls.

Related: Paul George Admits He Bought A Ferrari On eBay After Signing A $10.5 Million Rookie Deal

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