2020-02-10

Trae Young Snubbed From Team USA Roster

Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Former Oklahoma standout Trae Young was ‘hurt' after being notably absent from USA Basketball's preliminary 2020 Tokyo Olympics roster, announced Monday.

The likes of Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul were among the names on the initial roster.

“I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hurt by seeing it, ” Young said Monday, via Sarah K. Spencer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Obviously I would have wanted to play on the team."

Young is league's fourth-leading scorer averaging 29.7 points.

Hawks head coach Lloyd Pierce said he wasn't shocked when hearing the news, saying “international basketball is different.”

“No, because honestly I respect the league, I respect the levels and layers you have to go through. Trae’s having a great year. These guys have had great careers, ” Pierce said, USA Basketball assistant, via Spencer.

“And you have to go through certain things and you have to understand when it’s your time, when it’s your opportunity. He’s a first-time All-Star. We’re talking about guys, three-time Olympic appearances, and international basketball is different. It’s different. You don’t just go because you’re good. You go because you’ve earned the right, the honor. You have the right mindset.”

Young took to social media to congratulate the players named to the 44-man roster.


USA Basketball will trim the roster to  12 members when Team USA competes in the Summer Olympics.




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