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TGIF, Enjoyers! We’re in full Olympics mode over here, and we couldn’t be more excited to watch the best basketball players in the world compete on the international stage. And with the WNBA season in full swing and details for 2K25 having just released, isn’t it a great time to be a basketball fan?

Today’s Lineup

Olympic News Update

Kawhi Leonard pulls out of 2024 Olympics, Derrick White named as replacement

On Wednesday, Team USA announced that Kawhi Leonard would be withdrawing from the 2024 Olympic roster and that Celtics guard Derrick White would be tapped as his replacement. Leonard’s availability for the tournament was in question during camp after he missed three games in the Clippers’ first round series against Dallas back in April, and the USA Basketball team felt it would be best for not only their interest, but the Clippers’ and Kawhi’s as well, for them to “move in a different direction.”

Now, some of you might be wondering why Derrick White was named as Leonard’s replacement, especially when his Boston teammate Jaylen Brown—a natural born American citizen—was also available (Brown was confused as well). USAB managing director Grant Hill said that White’s selection was all part of his job of putting together “a team that complements each other, a team that fits, and a team that will give us the best opportunity for success.” Maybe Derrick White’s excellent ability to defend on the perimeter was what put him at the top of Team USA’s list? Let us know what you think:

USA beats Canada 86-72 in first Olympic exhibition game

We’ll be really honest with you guys—when Canada went up 11-1 in the first quarter of this game, we thought the universe might’ve been playing a prank on us. How could a team with that much star talent and experience playing at a championship level fail so hard? But as time went on during the game, the first of five games Team USA will play leading up to the Olympic tournament, the Americans found their groove and ended up with the W.

Team USA benefitted from standout performances by Jrue Holiday (19 PTS) and Steph Curry (16 PTS)—not to mention Anthony Davis’ 22 points off the bench. North of the border, it was RJ Barrett (12 PTS) who led his team in scoring followed by Dillon Brooks and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 10 points apiece. Canada struggled from three (7-33 3PT), an inconsistency that likely cost them the game down the stretch.

Check out the box score here!

2K25 is OTW!

Gamers of the world, unite! NBA 2K25 is officially on the way, and what better way to get the hype train started than taking a look at the covers that were just released. Shout-out to Jayson Tatum and A’ja Wilson for earning this once-in-a-lifetime honor!

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Group C Preview: USA vs. .. who?

Are you as excited as we are for Olympic basketball? Great. So that we can all be prepared when the times comes, let’s learn a little about the teams in Group C that the United States will be playing in the first stage of the tournament.

Serbia 🇷🇸

Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic hasn’t played in the Olympics since 2016, when the Serbian superstar led his national team to the championship game but had to settle for the silver medal after losing… to the United States. He will be suiting up for his country this summer, however, and alongside fellow NBA players Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Jovic, and Vasilije Micic, Jokic and the rest of the roster make up a Serbian team that represents Team USA’s biggest threat in this group.

South Sudan 🇸🇸

As a relatively new country (they declared independence in 2011!) South Sudan will compete in a men’s Olympic basketball tournament for the first time in their country’s history this year. The South Sudan Basketball Federation is headed by former NBA All-Star Luol Deng, and included in their preliminary roster were 2023 NBA G League MVP Carlik Jones, current NBA players Bol Bol and JT Thor, and top 2025 NBA Draft prospect Khaman Maluach. Could the world’s newest country surprise people in their first-ever tournament?

Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

The last time Puerto Rico competed in Olympic basketball, they were led by Carlos Arroyo and pulled off an incredible upset against the United States during the 2004 group stage. Now, with a roster led by NBA guard Jose Alvarado and former Wizard/Raptor/Celtic Tremont Waters, they’re looking to do the same thing against the same opponent twenty years later.

Three in the Key

Signing Off

Just another week with the best hoops community on the internet! Thanks for sticking with us this weekend—may your happiness and energy have as much longevity as the King himself. See you on Monday! ✌️

-Austin Zeglis