Jaylen Brown has yet to accept Team USA’s decision to leave him off the roster for the Paris Olympics, and the NBA champions were outraged at the idea that they were spreading conspiracy theories about why he wasn’t selected for the team.
United States Basketball Association managing director Grant Hill appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Friday to explain why Brown wasn’t selected while Celtics teammate Derrick White was.
Hill reiterated his position, which he has maintained for some time, that the decision was a basketball decision, and denied there was any conspiracy to bar Brown from the team because he is not a Nike sponsor.
That stance seemed to infuriate Brown on Sunday, and he made it known on social media just as the U.S. men’s basketball team was set to kick off its game against Serbia.
“I find it unfortunate that Grant Hill calls me a conspiracy theorist. I’ve been vice president since I was 21 and I understand that very well.” Brown posted on X.
Nike is a sponsor of the United States Basketball Association and sells the U.S. Olympic team’s clothing. Brown has been a long-time critic of Nike, including when the sports apparel brand terminated its contract with player Kyrie Irving two years ago.
And Brown, who didn’t sign with a clothing company after working five years with Adidas to launch his career, revealed that he believes Nike conspired with Team USA to keep him from competing in this summer’s Olympics.
2024 Paris Olympics
Earlier this month, he was asked directly about the matter by a reporter.
“Absolutely, I do. There’s more to come,” Brown said when asked if he thought Nike played any role in the decision. “I’m not going to comment on that right now.”
NBA Finals MVP Brown Post directly to the company“@nike what does this do?”
He posted an even more cryptic message to X the next day.
“I am not afraid of you or your resources.” Brown wrote.
During an appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show” on Friday, Hill said he had discussed the decision with Brown’s representatives.
“I don’t know if it was before or after it started going on Twitter,” Hill said, “but the idea that there are conspiracy theories — I always love a good conspiracy theory — but this is really a basketball decision, a difficult decision. But having been through this in FIBA competition, we want to find the right balance and the right pieces we need on the court.”
The U.S. team defeated Serbia 110-84 on Sunday.
