With Bradley Beal ruled out of the Olympics due to COVID-19 regulations, and Jerami Grant on the verge of joining him, USA Basketball is looking for late roster replacements. Trae Young does not appear to be going to Tokyo, according to a tweet.
Young appeared to hint that he was not asked to join Team USA by using the Isiah Thomas “I met the requirements” meme from “The Last Dance.” Is there really any other way to view this tweet?
Young isn’t the only young star guard who appears to have tweeted about a Team USA non-invite today; Ja Morant also appeared to tweet about a Team USA non-invite on Thursday, though he denied it. For what it’s worth, he also retweeted Young after Young’s tweet:
And Thomas himself appears to appreciate the video’s inclusion.
Young has reason to believe he was passed over for Team USA. He’s an All-Star who helped his club reach the NBA Finals and plays the same position as Beal. But, unlike Cavs guard Darius Garland, he has not been with Team USA Select. That appears to be something that the USA Basketball leadership is concerned about, not to mention COVID-19 issues coming into the Olympics.
That said: This is great posting from Young. It’s an elite pull to express exactly what he’s feeling right now, even if that criteria isn’t enough to actually get him a spot on the team.
