Cavaliers' Kevin Love withdrawing from Team USA, won't travel to Tokyo Olympics
Team USA head coach Gregg Popovich admitted earlier this month that he was going to demand a lot out of Cleveland Cavaliers star Kevin Love at this summer's Tokyo Olympics.
That demand could have contributed to Love's decision to withdraw from Team USA and not participate in the Olympics. The 32-year-old is still returning to form after suffering a right calf injury that sidelined him for much of the 2020-21 NBA season.
Love's agent, Jeff Schwartz, provided a statement from the Cavs veteran to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday. The five-time All-Star says he is "incredibly disappointed" that he cannot compete in Tokyo.
Love has not played for Team USA since the 2012 London Olympics. At 32 years old, he might never get the opportunity to suit up for the Red, White and Blue again.
Love joins Bradley Beal in withdrawing from the U.S. men's basketball team. Beal was forced to withdraw earlier this week due to health and safety protocols.
Potential replacements for Beal include Philadelphia 76ers star Tobias Harris and Houston Rockets forward Christian Wood. It's unclear if either of those players will be considered for the vacant position left by Love.
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