United States’ Bradley Beal dunks against Australia during an exhibition basketball game Monday, July 12, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Bradley Beal will miss the Olympics after being placed into health and safety protocols due to COVID precautions, the U.S. men’s team announced Thursday. The Americans said they will replace the 2011 Chaminade graduate 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, 28, has become one of the top scoring guards in the NBA. He is averaging a career-best 31.3 points per game a year after posted a 30.5 scoring average. A guard from the Washington Wizards, 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 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.
Jayson Tatum, also a Chaminade product from St. Louis, is a Team USA member, as well. He sat out Tuesday’s game against Argentina with a knee injury not considered serious.
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