Boomers Olympics threat after USA basketball bombshell

An NBA All Star has been axed from the Tokyo Olympics, sending a shudder through the Australian Boomers days out from the Games.

Patty Mills is fouled by Kevin Durant of the United States.

Boomers stars have reportedly tested negative for Covid-19 while NBA star Bradley Beal was on Friday morning cut from the United States’ squad just days out from the Tokyo Olympics.

In a day of chaos, rumours swirled on Thursday night the Boomers had been caught up in the storm surrounding Beal being isolated from teammates as part of the team’s Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

The Boomers were reportedly on high alert after Beal’s apparent Covid-19 exposure — a situation which is yet to be clarified by USA Basketball.

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USA Basketball eventually confirmed reports in a statement on Friday the Washington Wizards All Star is officially out of the Tokyo Games, while Detroit star Jerami Grant has also been isolated from teammates under the same Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

“Out of an abundance of caution, Jerami Grant has been placed under health & safety protocols,” USA Basketball posted on Twitter.

Coach Gregg Popovich said in his press conference ahead of the Boomers’ second game against the US as part of the Olympics warm-up series in Las Vegas that he expects Grant to be available for selection in Tokyo.

He also said Beal’s withdrawal as hit the team hard.

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

“Since he was a little kid, this has been a dream of his. He was playing great. He was having fun being a big part of us coming together chemistry-wise.

“It’s devastating.”

It remains unclear if Beal has returned a positive test.

Patty Mills and the Boomers have reportedly returned negative tests.

Popovich said the team is yet to make a final decision on which player will be selected to replace Beal in the final 12-man squad for Tokyo.

Beal played 32 minutes against Australia in a Las Vegas friendly on Tuesday – sparking fears Boomers players could be at risk.

Former Australian basketball star Chris Anstey tweeted “please no” when reports first emerged the Aussie team was scrambling to investigate its own potential Covid-19 exposure.

It emerged overnight that Boomers players have been given the all-clear with every member of the Tokyo squad and support staff returning negative tests.

However, there are fears the Aussie team could now face tighter restrictions heading into Tokyo with potential extended quarantine periods as a result of the possible exposure with Beal.

US players and their families have been tested daily in the Las Vegas camp.

The news comes 11 days before the Americans are scheduled to play their first game at the Tokyo Olympics on July 25.

The team is training in Las Vegas and played a friendly against Argentina on Tuesday.

Beal scored 17 points, matching Kevin Durant as the top scorers in the contest, a 108-80 victory for the United States.

Beal has started all three of the United States’ pre-Games friendlies in Las Vegas. The reigning Olympic champions had been jolted by losses to Nigeria and Australia before beating Argentina.

Originally published as Boomers Olympics threat after USA basketball bombshell