Jerami Grant went from third banana on the Western Conference finals Denver Nuggets to turning heads as the leading scorer on a rebuilding Detroit Pistons team to a potential Olympic gold medalist all in the span of a year.
Grant has committed to Team USA for the summer Olympics in Tokyo, which begins roughly one month from now, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Olympic roster seemed set at 12 with a number of recent commitments, but a spot opened up when James Harden of the Brooklyn Nets announced he was withdrawing from the team in order to rehab a hamstring injury. That spot seemingly has been taken by Grant.
Grant, most recently a finalist for Most Improved Player, showcased new elements to his offensive arsenal as the leading scorer in Detroit. He could hit from the perimeter, break people down off the dribble and convert in the lane. The 27-year-old forward averaged 22.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his first year of a three-year deal in Detroit.
Other players who have committed to the Olympic team:
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
- Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
- James Harden, Brooklyn Nets
- Jrue Holiday, Milwaukee Bucks
- Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
- Kevin Love, Cleveland Cavaliers
- Khris Middleton, Milwaukee Bucks
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Booker, Holiday, and Middleton are still in the playoffs and if they make the NBA Finals could be forced to withdraw from the team opening additional slots. We will see what happens.