There’s been plenty of hot air dedicated to Derrick White making Team USA’s Olympic roster as Kawhi Leonard’s injury replacement as a substitute of Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown.
On Wednesday, nonetheless, the main target lastly shifted to the court docket for White, who made his first look for Group USA in opposition to Serbia in an exhibition recreation in Abu Dhabi within the ramp to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
And it is laborious to argue with the ultimate end result.
Team USA demolished Serbia 105-79 in a convincing win over a Nikola Jokic-led squad that is anticipated to contend for a medal in Paris. Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Jrue Vacation each began for head coach Steve Kerr’s group, whereas White got here off the bench within the second quarter.
Whereas Wednesday’s recreation largely was the Stephen Curry present — Curry led all scorers with 24 factors with six made 3-pointers — the Celtics trio nonetheless had its moments. This is a take a look at how Tatum, Vacation and White fared in Wednesday’s exhibition, which was a preview of Group USA’s Group Stage opener on the Paris Olympics on July 28:
Jayson Tatum
Ultimate stat line: 21 minutes, 4 factors (2 for five; 0 for two 3PT), 5 rebounds, two steals, +7
Tatum had his quietest offensive recreation in exhibition play thus far, scoring 4 factors (the fewest of any Group USA starter) on 2 of 5 taking pictures and going 0 for two from 3-point vary.
The Celtics star had tried only one 3-pointer in Group USA’s two earlier exhibitions mixed, so we would not be shocked if he seeks extra offense across the basket going ahead.
Tatum did make an impression defensively, recording two of the Individuals’ eight steals.
Jrue Vacation
Ultimate stat line: 21 minutes, eight factors (3 for 4; 2 for two 3PT), two rebounds, two assists, one steal, +7
Vacation was the most effective Celtic on the ground Wednesday, flattening each of his 3-pointers and organising Curry for a pair of triples. He delivered one of many highlights of the sport within the fourth quarter with this no-look, behind-the-back go to arrange a Curry 3:
Vacation has been strong as a starter for Group USA, and there is a good likelihood he stays in that function when Olympic group play begins later this month.
Derrick White
Ultimate stat line: 9 minutes, one level (0 for 1; 1 for two FT), 4 rebounds, one help, +6
After becoming a member of the U.S. squad over the weekend and sitting out Monday’s exhibition in opposition to Australia, White confirmed indicators of rust in his first reside motion since Recreation 5 of the NBA Finals. However as quickly as White checked in, Group USA ripped off a 16-2 run to take a double-digit lead.
White completed with only one level and was 0 for 1 from the ground in 9:17 of recreation motion, however grabbed 4 rebounds and tallied an help whereas ending as a plus-6.
Group USA’s subsequent exhibition is Saturday, July 20, at 3 p.m. ET in opposition to South Sudan in London.
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