Jaylen Brown Breaks Silence on Nike Accusation

Jaylen Brown called out Nike after he was not chosen by USA Basketball to replace Kawhi Leonard

Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown (7) reacts during the fourth quarter during game three of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports / Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

After it was announced that LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard would not be competing in the Paris Olympics, many were surprised Boston Celtics star and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown was not chosen as the replacement. Brown's teammate Derrick White replaced Leonard, which led to multiple posts from Brown that seemed to call out both USA Basketball and Nike.

Asked about his perceived accusation that Nike was involved in the decision to leave him off Team USA, Brown told reporters in Las Vegas on Monday that he does indeed think Nike was involved.

"I do for sure," Brown said when asked by Bobby Manning of CLNS if he thinks Nike played a role in him being left off Team USA. "I got - it'll be more stuff to come with that. As of now, I'm not gonna comment on it."

I asked Jaylen Brown if he believes Nike played a role in him being left off Team USA. He said he does, but doesn’t want to comment beyond that. Brown also talked to White to congratulate him on being named to Team USA and said they’re good. pic.twitter.com/EHwlljt4Vx

— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) July 16, 2024

While Brown did not go into specifics, he seemed to confirm that his previous posts were directed at Nike's perceived involvement in him not being named as Leonard's replacement.

@nike this what we doing ?

— Jaylen Brown (@FCHWPO) July 10, 2024

Brown is not the only person questioning USA Basketball leadership, as Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank told reporters on Monday afternoon that it was USA Basketball's decision to send Leonard home, as the Clippers felt he looked great in training camp.

"It was USAB's call and I was quite frankly very disappointed with the decision," Frank said. "Kawhi wanted to play. We wanted him to play. I was there the first two practices, he looked very good, was a full participant in everything that they did. I wasn't there for the third practice where ultimately that was the point where they decided to go in a different direction."

Leonard's departure led to the opening that Brown was not selected for, and the Celtics star stood by his Nike accusation on Monday, suggesting more is to come as it pertains to that.

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