Knicks star Jalen Brunson was a notable absentee from Team USA’s roster for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
Team USA Basketball Men’s National Team managing director Grant Hill was asked about Brunson on a conference call after the official was announced.
“The season he’s having is just magical, it’s impressive,” Hill said, via SNY’s Ian Begley. “He almost has played himself into that MVP conversation if you will. He’s been a great member of our program – not just last year on the Men’s National team but with the grassroots and the Under-17s and so on and so forth.”
Although he gave Brunson praise, Hill was sure to explain that he wants to focus only on the 12 players that made the team, rather than focusing on the one’s that didn’t.
“I wanted to acknowledge that,” Hill said. “I think it’s important for me to really honor and celebrate the 12 that are on the team and not get caught up in why this person or that person. I will say this, just in general. There were some really difficult decisions that were to be made. You have players who are incredible, players who have helped us in years past. Helped us win gold medals. You have players who are having current seasons that are just off the charts. The job was putting together a team, and a team that we felt and ultimately, I felt, the pieces fit. This is not an indictment on anyone else.
“There were some great great players and we’re so grateful that they were interested and they were willing to be a part of this,” he continued. “You wish you could’ve had three or four more (spots) because there are so many incredibly talented players and incredibly talented people. That was tough. It was tough having to say no to certain people who I respect and admire. Certainly he was one of them. And there’s plenty of others who sadly and unfortunately we had to say no to. But with that said, we’re really excited about our group. And excited about the pieces, the style, the skill-set, the personalities, and we look forward to the challenge ahead.”
As for Brunson, he didn’t seem too bothered about not being included in the squad.
“I was just focused on playoffs, I didn’t even look at the list,” he told reporters.
The guard averaged 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 6.7 assists on 47.9 percent shooting from beyond the arc during the regular season and will be a key component of the Knicks championship campaign.
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