Report: Jerami Grant enters health and safety protocols at Team USA camp

It’s not often the Detroit Pistons have a player make Team USA.

Jerami Grant’s glue-guy-with-alpha-ability profile was a perfect fit for a team looking to win gold in Tokyo later this month. However, it’s possible Grant and teammate Bradley Beal won’t be with the team for the Tokyo Olympics.

Shams Charania and Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported Thursday that Grant has entered health and safety protocols at Team USA camp. He has not tested positive for COVID-19, but will join Beal in the protocols in Las Vegas.

This sucks, obviously.

It’s good that Grant hasn’t tested positive for the virus, but this, combined with the Beal news earlier this week, puts Team USA in a tough spot. The team has two more exhibitions — Friday against Australia and Sunday against Spain — before heading to Tokyo.

The Opening Ceremony is set for July 23 while the team will play its first official game on July 25 against France.

It’s unknown whether Beal has tested positive, but the news that Grant did not is good. A positive test this late in the process would almost assuredly end either players’ chances of heading to Tokyo. Saddiq Bey is one of three Select Team members on the Senior roster right now, but Vardon reported earlier this week that it’s unlikely Team USA would select him, Darius Garland or Keldon Johnson to replace Beal or, presumably, Grant.

Hopefully, both are able to clear protocols and rejoin the team in time for the games.

UPDATE via ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst:

“Bradley Beal will miss the Tokyo Olympics as he remains in the health and safety protocols and Team USA is working to replace him, USA Basketball announced Thursday.

Additionally, forward Jerami Grant has entered the health and safety protocols out of an abundance of caution, the team said. His status for Tokyo is yet to be determined, but there is hope he could clear the protocols in time to travel with the team next week, sources told ESPN.”