According to Team USA executive director Grant Hill, the decision to leave Jaylen Brown out of the Team USA roster has nothing to do with Nike: "Whatever theories that might be out there, they're just that."
After Kawhi Leonard withdrew from Team USA camp, the decision was made to invite the Boston Celtics guard Derrick White.
However, such a selection meant that the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP, Jaylen Brown, was left out.
After White's selection was announced, Brown first tweeted a series of emojis and then tweeted at Nike, "this what we doing?"
Nike is a sponsor of Team USA, and Brown implied that his Celtics teammate Derrick White was selected because he is a Nike athlete.
When the Celtics drafted Brown in 2016, he signed a sneaker deal with Adidas. However, since his deal with Adidas expired in 2021, Brown has been a free agent in the shoe market.
Nevertheless, Team USA executive director Grant Hill downplayed the talks and speculations that White was picked because of representing Nike.
Ahead of the Team USA exhibition game against Canada, Hill explained what went into the decision to choose White.
"You get 12 spots, and you have to build a team. One of the hardest things is leaving people off the roster that I'm a fan of that I look forward to watching throughout the season, throughout the playoffs. Guys who've been Finals MVPs, guys who've been a part of the program, guys who've won gold medals, guys who I respect, admire, and enjoy watching," Hill said about the decision to leave Brown out of the roster.
"The responsibility that I have is to put together a team and a team that complements each other, a team that fits a team that will give us the best opportunity for success.
And, so, whatever theories that might be out there, they're just that. But that's my responsibility. And it's tough. It's tough to have conversations, tell people that they're not on the team.
I'm trying to win and I'm trying to put together the right pieces that fit and give us a chance to win," Hill concluded.
