Inside The Celtics

Jaylen Brown 'Wasn't Surprised' by Olympic Snub: 'All the Motivation in the World'

Bobby Krivitsky

Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) celebrates after winning the NBA Finals MVP after game five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) celebrates after winning the NBA Finals MVP after game five of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
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Even after the Team USA men's basketball program needed to find a replacement for Kawhi Leonard, they opted against adding this year's Eastern Conference and NBA Finals MVP, Jaylen Brown.

For 25 percent of their roster to come from the reigning NBA champions while excluding the three-time All-Star raises suspicions.

Brown, who pulled up courtside to support the Summer League Celtics during their 88-74 win over the Lakers on Monday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, shared at halftime that he spoke with Derrick White, who got Leonard's roster spot, to ensure there was no confusion and that the former is happy that the latter will get the chance to represent his country at the Olympics in Paris this summer.

The Marietta, Georgia, native also addressed whether it surprised him that the Team USA men's basketball program passed on the chance to add the 2022 All-NBA Second Team selection who just had the best season of his career while helping lead Boston to Banner 18.

"I wasn't surprised, but my reaction was I was happy for D. White," said Brown. "It's dope to have so much of our guys on there, so I was happy for those guys, but I wasn't surprised."

Brown, who's taken aim at Nike after it dropped Kyrie Irving for sharing anti-Semitic material and for its business ethics, also spoke on whether he believes the sneaker giant, who is the apparel provider for Team USA's men's basketball program, played a role in denying him of the chance to represent his country at the Olympics.

"I do for sure," voiced Brown. "Maybe more stuff will come with that. But as of now, I'm not gonna comment on it."

In another testament to the star wing's commitment, he's returned a better player each season of his eight-year career. That includes following a truncated break between playing in the bubble in Orlando and the start of the following campaign during the pandemic.

So, after breaking through to an NBA championship and winning Finals MVP, an extra source of motivation figures to help fuel him as he aims to build on his game's evolution.

"Absolutely," stated Brown about using getting left off the Team USA roster as motivation moving forward. "Super fired up. I've got all the motivation in the world…I love that, honestly."

Further Reading

After Expressing Frustration with Olympic Snub, Jaylen Brown Called Derrick White

After Saturday's Struggles, Jordan Walsh Returning to What Works Best

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Summer League Opener vs. Heat

Jayson Tatum Cried Upon Learning He's NBA2K25 Cover Athlete

Celtics Rookie Anton Watson Shares Brad Stevens' Message to Him

Celtics' Coaching Staff Changes Match Theme of Boston's Offseason

Celtics Roster, Salary Cap Breakdown After Whirlwind Start to Free Agency

New Details about Plan to Sell Majority Stake in Celtics Revealed

Brad Stevens Shares His Outlook on Celtics' Draft Picks

Al Horford, Raising Cane's, and a Region that Loves Him

On Derrick White and the Fuel for Unprecedented Journey to NBA's Best Role Player

Jayson Tatum, an NBA Champion Entering Peak of His Powers

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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