Sixers forward Tobias Harris has been tabbed as a potential replacement for Bradley Beal on the USA Men’s Olympic Basketball team.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Keith Pompey, USA Basketball has “inquired” about Sixers forward Tobias Harris. Pompey said the Sixers forward “is out of the country on vacation.” Pompey added that Harris won’t be back in the country until Saturday evening.
Team USA announced on Thursday that Beal will not participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. On Wednesday, Beal was placed in the COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
This season Harris averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and a career-high in assists with 3.5 per game. Harris’s shooting splits were close to historic this season. Harris was just shy of joining the 40-50-90 club; the 29-year-old forward shot 51.2 percent from the field, 39.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 89.2 percent from the free-throw line.
The first game Tobias Harris could potentially join Team USA is an exhibition game vs. Spain on Sunday at 9 p.m. If Harris is forced to quarantine prior to joining Gregg Popovich‘s squad, the next game he could potentially suit up for is the team’s opening game on Sunday, July 25, at 8 a.m.
Team USA may have another roster spot open up with Jerami Grant joining Beal in the COVID-19 health and safety protocols on Thursday. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, there is still optimism Grant could still travel to Tokyo for the Olympics.
The Sixers borderline All-Star was proved this season he can be the team’s second-leading scorer. Joining Team USA could help evolve Harris’s game and the Sixers to the next level.
