With the opening ceremony to the Olympic Games in Paris now only a week away, national teams are ramping up preparations with exhibition games. Team USA's latest and final stop before heading to France a double-header of tune up games in London.
One player who has yet to suit up for Team USA - in what they will be hoping ends with a fourth gold medal - is Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns. A calf strain causing him to miss the play both in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi.
Not for much longer according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who has confirmed that Durant is back training ahead of the London games.
Charania had the following update regarding Durant ahead of the tune ups versus South Sudan and Germany, the latter getting the better of Team USA en route to a gold medal at the World Cup last summer;
Sources: Kevin Durant is expected to return to Team USA practice today in London – his first with this Olympic team – and could make his debut in one of exhibition games vs. South Sudan on Saturday or vs. Germany on Monday. He is returning from a strained calf. https://t.co/fVdI84UxCa
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 19, 2024
Team USA is right to be cautious with the 35-year-old, who is coming off a long season with the Suns which saw him play center more than expected. He excelled in the role as well, providing some much needed help on the defensive end for the roster.
Durant's achilles tear of 2019 might seem like a long time ago now, but anybody who has suffered with calf issues will tell you that you can never be too careful with them and how they relate to injuries happening throughout the rest of your lower body.
With Durant inching closer to a return, his current teammate in The Valley Bol Bol won't be suiting up for their London opponents South Sudan, and that's according to Leonard Holms of ESPN. Bol is out for "personal reasons", with assistant coach Ajou Deng (brother of Luol) saying;
"Bol Bol has had a situation that he's been going through in the NBA... He always wanted to play. At the World Cup, he wanted to play, but his situation at the time... He was let go by Orlando (Magic), so at that time, he wanted to focus on himself and his career."Ajou Deng on Bol Bol
Deng is alluding to the fact Bol didn't play for South Sudan at the World Cup last year either, despite being one of their best players. His father Manute is a Sudanese legend as well, which makes this whole episode kind of strange. On the two biggest stages - and South Sudan's first appearance at an Olympics in basketball - Bol won't be there.
It is unfair to speculate on his personal life - and there's no doubt that fans in The Valley love Bol for his play and demeanour both on and off the court - but it is all a bit strange. Bol not being there also deprives more casual fans who are tuning in to to the games of experiencing one of the most unique players in the league.
You could understand the player trying to secure a deal last season after the Orlando Magic let him go, and so not being distracted by the World Cup. But the Olympics are a potentially once-in-a-lifetime experience, and he's already been brought back by the Suns next season. A sad development.