Derrick White to replace Kawhi Leonard on Team USA’s basketball squad for Paris 2024

Team USA’s outspoken support of Simone Biles

While Team USA is aiming for its fifth-straight basketball gold medal, the squad is also looking forward to savoring the Olympic experience off the court. This includes meeting other Olympic athletes and attending their competitions, most notably gymnastics star and fellow American Simone Biles.

“Simone is super dope,” LeBron James said. “And she’s an inspiration to my daughter and to all, not only Black girls in the world, but also, kids, anyone, not only just in gymnastics, but any field. If you love greatness – which is another story about the people that don’t love greatness or act like they don’t, but they just have to be in the hate pool because that’s what society is today. But Simone is amazing and she’s everything.”

The 27-year-old Biles has already won seven Olympic medals, including four golds, in two trips to the Games. She is one of the headliners of Paris 2024 and all eyes will be on her when she competes, including those of Team USA who will be trying to make time in their schedules to see her live.

“I heard it’s really expensive to get in,” said Team USA guard Tyrese Haliburton. “But I think I can make that work.”

Based on the Olympic schedule, it appears Team USA will have a few opportunities to show their support in person, including the women’s gymnastics all-around final on 1 August. With rumors that this could be Biles’ last Olympics, there is a further sense of urgency for Team USA to witness her greatness.

“I’ve got to go see that,” said forward Kevin Durant.

“I was talking to a gymnast the other day and I didn’t know their peak is from like 15 to like 18 or 19 or something like that,” Durant continued. “So, for her to be at that age and still elite, of course, yeah, I want to go check her out. I’ve always been a fan of what she was doing. Introduced me to that sport, really. I wasn’t really paying attention much until she started doing her thing. … Simone is somebody who set the tone for what a champion, an Olympian, a winner in life should be.”

Women’s artistic gymnastics at Paris 2024 will run from 28 July through 5 August. Men’s basketball will begin on July 27 and conclude on 10 August.