Jaylen Brown is coming off a season winning an NBA championship, ECF MVP, and the Finals MVP. Nevertheless, despite adding so many accolades to his resume, Brown could not make the Team USA roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Boston Celtics star didn’t hesitate to throw a subtle dig at Nike for playing a role behind this. In a recent interview with Stephen A. Smith, Brown made it clear that he has no intention of signing with the sportswear giant to increase his chances of playing for Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“In 2028, if I have to sign to Nike to increase my likelihood of playing with USA basketball, I’ll pass. One, I think kids are being compelled to choose sides instead of enjoying the true essence of basketball. Meanwhile, we’re witnessing the global game in Europe closing the gap,” Brown said.
“Our focus should be on nurturing our development, youth, and grassroots initiatives. Shoe companies, I believe, should wield less influence over the industry,” he added.
Fans Slam Jaylen Brown For His Controversial Take On Nike
Jaylen Brown didn’t hesitate to place the blame on Nike for his Team USA snub. However, despite Brown’s bold claims, it remains unclear whether Nike actually played a role in his omission from Team USA.
This ambiguity has prompted a strong reaction from NBA fans, who quickly jumped into the conversation on social media. Many believe that it’s not Nike’s involvement that led to Brown’s snub but rather the overwhelming talent of the star-studded roster selected for Team USA this year.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Additionally, some supporters took to Twitter to defend Nike, sharing that several players on this year’s Team USA roster do not have endorsement deals with the brand.
Several Team USA stars, including LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Kevin Durant, are less likely to participate in the 2028 Olympics. If Nike’s influence is minimal in the selection process, Jaylen Brown could find himself in a prime position to make the Olympic team.
