New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30). Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

Knicks' Julius Randle almost made Team USA for Tokyo Olympics?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 6/28/21

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle enjoyed a career season during which he averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists, and the 26-year-old undeniably produced a better overall campaign than the often injured and frustrated Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, it was Love and not Randle who received a spot on the 12-man Team USA roster for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

On Monday, USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo explained Randle nearly made the cut:

The Knicks' Julius Randle was "right there" for an Olympic roster spot, @usabasketball executive director Jerry Colangelo said.

Kevin Love's international experience was key in his selection, Colangelo said. Love, Draymond Green and Kevin Durant are previous gold medalists.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 28, 2021

Love earned Olympic gold in 2012 and gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, but he hasn't been an All-Star player for several years. Randle, meanwhile, received his first All-Star nod earlier this year and, statistically speaking, would've been the superior choice.

As noted by Ryan Gaydos of Fox News, ESPN analyst and former player Jalen Rose has walked back saying that Love made the team because of "tokenism."

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