Olympics: Detroit Pistons’ Jerami Grant debuts against familiar face
(With Saddiq Bey on Team USA update, 6:04 p.m., Friday)
Team USA begins play with an exhibition game against Nigeria on Saturday night. This will be the Detroit Pistons’ Jerami Grant making his debut as an Olympian. The opponent has Piston teammate Jahlil Okafor.
It is kind of ironic that in Jerami Grant’s first game with Team USA, he will face a player he saw all the time in practice with the Detroit Pistons. Okafor will be at center for Nigeria.
Later on Friday, it was announced that three members of the USA Select team – including the Pistons’ Saddiq Bey – are being promoted and will be eligible to play against Nigeria and in other future exhibitions, while three members of Team USA are still in the NBA finals.
Here are the details on the game:
Team USA vs. Nigeria
When: Saturday, July 10, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Michelob Ultra Arena at the Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
TV: NBC Sports Network
World rankings: United States (No. 1), Nigeria (No. 22)
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Grant began training camp with Team USA on July 6. Everyone, by now, knows Grant’s backstory. He was a role player his entire NBA career before signing this past season with the Detroit Pistons. He had a breakout year offensively, scoring 22.3 points a game.
Reportedly, when James Harden had to withdraw due to injury, Grant was up.
"“I was blessed. When I got the call, it was an honor,” Grant said, according to NBA.com. “I love to play the game. That’s why I’m here. And I was excited. I told my family – everybody was excited for me.”"
While Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant reportedly lobbied for Grant to be selected, Team USA coach Gregg Popovich was all for it.
"“I wanted on him on this team,’’ Popovich said on Thursday, according to Syracuse.com, “because of his size, his length, the flexibility (and) the versatility that he will give us. And the fact that he’s a competitor. He wants to win. He’s physical. He runs well. He’s just a very active player.’’“He’s also willing to fill a role. I just told him today, as a matter of fact, one of the things I want him to do is go to the offensive board almost every time. He’s got a knack for that, and if he knows that’s what we need out of him, I’m confident he’ll do it.’’“He’s very coachable,’’ Popovich added. “A good, good person. Great to have on a basketball team.’"
Game Preview: Team USA vs. Nigeria
USA: Grant will get a lot of playing time, as the USA will only have nine players from the original Team USA roster available. Three of its members, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton (who played for Detroit as a rookie) are involved in the NBA finals.
Three USA Select team members, who have been training with Team USA, San Antonio’s Keldon Johnson, Cleveland’s Darius Garland and Detroit’s Saddiq Bey, are being moved up for the upcoming slate of exhibition games (five in eight days).
It will be interesting to see what position Popovich plays Grant.
Team USA really does not have a legitimate center, the talk is Michigan native Draymond Green, at 6-foot-6, might start at center. Grant, following the Blake Griffin trade, mostly was a power forward for the Pistons. He could, at 6-8, 215-pounds, be asked to play some small-ball center.
Nigeria: While only ranked 22nd in the world, D’Tigers are the top program in Africa and are making a major push for a good showing at the Olympics. This game will not be a blowout.
Related Story. The Detroit Pistons could have another Olympian in Tokyo; almost had two. light
Former Lakers and Cavaliers coach Mike Brown is coaching the team and has been actively recruiting players of Nigerian descent (Okafor’s grandfather was born in Nigeria). About half of its roster are currently in the NBA (including three from the Miami Heat), and the rest have experience playing in Europe.
Michael Gbinije, who was drafted by Detroit in 2018, and played nine games for the Pistons, is on the team.
One of Nigeria’s main big men, Ike Diogu, had to drop out, which leaves Okafor one of their few remaining post players. Okafor should see time against Team USA, although Nigeria is carrying 16 players (Jordan Nwora is still with the Milwaukee Bucks, so only 15 will be present).
Prediction:
Team USA is shorthanded and Nigeria will be fired up, but, in the end, the United States will have too much firepower for D’Tigers. We will say a 23-point Team USA victory.
Next. 3 reasons why the Olympics will raise Jerami Grant’s stock. dark
This will be the first time Detroit Pistons fans get to see any of their players in a real game since May 16. Okafor was coming off knee surgery at the end of the season, it will be interesting to see how he looks.
Seeing how Grant plays surrounded by stars, will also be something to look forward to. Saturday nights are always fun in Vegas.