Coronavirus knocks Beal out of Olympics

On a U.S. basketball team filled with stars, nobody scored more than Bradley Beal during the season.

At the top of his NBA game, he was finally set to take on the international one.

The coronavirus has wrecked his Olympic dreams.

Beal will miss the Olympics after being placed into health and safety protocols and USA Basketball said Thursday it will replace him on its roster at a later date.

“I’m dying for him,” coach Gregg Popovich said. “We all are.”

The Americans also announced that forward Jerami Grant has also been placed in health and safety protocols “out of an abundance of caution.” Popovich said the Americans didn’t expect that his Olympics would be in jeopardy.

It is unclear if Beal has been vaccinated. He had started all three exhibition games for the U.S. so far in Las Vegas, averaging 10.3 points on 10-for-21 shooting.

The Washington Wizards guard was second in the NBA this season with 31.3 points per game. Only Stephen Curry, who passed on the Olympics, averaged more.

The Americans are in discussions about canceling the men’s basketball game today against Australia, ESPN reported.

U.S. forward Bam Adebayo said he checked on Beal, who told him that he had no symptoms. Still, his news was a tough blow to the players who said they have been following safety recommendations and hoped for good health.

Beal was expected to play for the Americans two years ago in the Basketball World Cup in China, but had to withdraw from consideration before training camp for family reasons.

He finally had his chance to suit up for the senior national team now and he seemed ready for it.

After scoring just two points in the Americans’ loss to Nigeria in their opener, he followed with 12 points against Australia and then had 17 on Monday against Argentina in the first U.S. victory.

“Bradley, there’s no doubt, he’s a huge loss. He was playing very well, understanding everything and fit in well with the group,” Popovich said. “So there’s no next Bradley Beal.”

The Warriors’ Draymond Green said it’s difficult to see the impact the virus still has after 17 or 18 months and that it’s “still costing people the opportunities of a lifetime.”

“The experience, the opportunity to represent your country is one that we all dream about growing up,” Green said. “So to see that opportunity taken away, you can only sympathize with Brad.”