White over Brown?: Grant Hill explains decision to tap Derrick White over Jaylen Brown for Team USA in Paris 2024

There are now three members of the champion team Boston Celtics in the Team USA roster for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

And yet, Finals MVP Jaylen Brown isn't one of them.

After Kawhi Leonard and USA Basketball opted to have the Los Angeles Clippers star rest and prepare for the next NBA season, Derrick White was chosen to fill his spot.

[ALSO READ: Derrick White replaces Kawhi Leonard for Team USA in Paris 2024]

 Brown didn't hide his disappointment and insinuated a shoe company might have something to do with it.

🧐🧐🧐

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 10, 2024

@nike this what we doing ?

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 10, 2024

Brown previously spoke out against Nike, when the brand dropped Kyrie Irving for posting things that many viewed as antisemitic.

 Since when did Nike care about ethics? https://t.co/f8t2eY994v

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) November 10, 2022

He then showed off his Nike Kobe 6s without the signature swoosh.

Jaylen Brown shows his Nike Kobe 6s “Reverse Grinch” without the swoosh, he wore today for the NBA Christmas game 🎄🏀 pic.twitter.com/3uIjxv2b5p

— KicksFinder (@KicksFinder) December 26, 2023

Remember, Nike dresses Team USA for Paris 2024.

 "For a good portion of my career, I wore Fila," Hill told the media in a press conference in the aftermath of USA’s 86-72 tune-up win over Canada. 

[ALSO READ: Paris 2024: Anthony Edwards, new-look Team USA shrug off slow start to cruise past Canada in pre-Olympics duel]

"I'm trying to put together the right pieces that fit, and give us a chance to win"

USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill addresses the decision to add Derrick White to the team's roster after Kawhi Leonard's withdrawal 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mWUCrSB5Tv

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) July 11, 2024

The Hall of Famer added that leaving anyone off this team is the most difficult part of his job.

“You get 12 spots, and you have to build a team and 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." 

"We just felt that we had to pivot, and not to get into the particulars, in terms of what went into the decision, but we just felt it was in our best interest, but also in the Clippers' and Kawhi's best interest, to move into a different direction," Hill said.

Hill denied the shoe issue had anything to do with it, saying: “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.

Brown, who averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game last season, certainly had a case for inclusion on Team USA after becoming  a key cog in the Celtics' championship run, earning MVP honors in both the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals.

But Hill defended his decision and instead heaped praise on White’s fit to the team. 

 "I've been a big fan of Derrick's, obviously. He just won a championship. One of the many things that I really love about Derrick, and particularly with his team, is I don't feel like his role changes much with our team from what he does with the Celtics.”

 Team USA now goes to Abu Dhabi for a pair of exhibition  matches against Australia and Serbia.