Amid Jaylen Brown Controversy, Grant Hill Cautioned Against Repeating Jayson Tatum Mistake Before LA Olympics

USA basketball’s managing director, Grant Hill, has been caught in a wave of controversies since the Olympics began. It started with Jaylen Brown‘s exclusion from the squad, and then Jayson Tatum not receiving enough playing time during the Olympic games. Even though Hill said that he would consider Brown in the 2028 Olympic squad, things have not cooled down yet.

Team USA went to the Olympics with a star-studded lineup, which comprised 12 players top-tier NBA players. Yes, they won the gold, but it was not all sunshine and rainbows behind the scenes. With that much talent, not everyone got the minutes they wanted – even the big names from the NBA squads. Just look at Jayson Tatum-he ended up with multiple DNPs, as he sat out two whole games with no playing time and not everyone was happy with it. In light of that, veteran NBA analyst Brian Windhorst advised Grant Hill to pick the young players going ahead, to avoid all the drama.

The idea is to start developing the young players specifically for FIBA competitions and to build a squad that is down to stick together through a few summers, leading up to big events like the 2028 Olympics. “I don’t necessarily think it’s the worst idea in the world to take all young guys to the World Cup. Like, do what they do in soccer of the Olympics and say, we are gonna take all 23 and under,” Windhorst mentioned on the ESPN podcast.

“Because we[Team USA] are gonna start developing FIBA players. We are gonna say, ‘hey, commit to playing in the summer in 2026, commit to playing the summer in 27′ and you are not promised for 28’ but let’s see where it leads. Maybe there shouldn’t be, in spots 11 and 12, maybe there shouldn’t be star players there. Maybe there should be FIBA players, NBA players, don’t get me wrong, but FIBA players who have played for multiple summers in a row,” the media vet further added.

Windhorst wants Team USA to create a crew that’s more in sync with international play. After all, it’s all about long-term growth and commitment, not just banking on NBA stars. Talking about NBA stars though, what’s been brewing between Grant Hill and Jaylen Brown? Let’s dive deep.

The Jaylen Brown Controversy

It was not that long ago that Jaylen Brown took a shot at Team USA and Nike, letting everyone know he was not cool with Team USA picking his Celtics teammate, Derrick White, as Kawhi Leonard‘s replacement instead of him. The current finals MVP tweeted, “@nike this what we doing.” Brown was probably implying it was Nike that kept him off the Team USA roster.

In response, Hill said, “And, so, whatever theories that might be out there, they’re just that. But that’s my responsibility. And it’s tough. It’s tough to have conversations, tell people that they’re not on the team.” Jaylen Brown did not take too kindly to being called a conspiracy theorist by the USAB managing director, as he shot back, stating, “Grant Hill calling me a conspiracy theorist is disappointing. I’ve been a VP [of the NBPA] since I was 21 years old, I have a great understanding.”

However, Grant Hill now wants to squash the beef. He is even open to having Brown on the Team USA squad in the 2028 Olympics. “It’s a lot of noise. I’m confident he and I will sit down at some point and talk about it and get to some level of understanding. He’ll be a candidate, if he wants, in 2028. One thing I’ve learned, you can’t take anything personally in this role. I haven’t personalized anything. My objective, my goal, is to win. And as soon as, hopefully, that happens, we pivot and start looking ahead to the future,” Hill said.

As this might have been the last season for many of the veteran players in the Olympics, there will probably be space for Jaylen Brown on the Team USA roster for the 2028 Olympics. But the question is, after all that has happened, will Brown accept the offer to be a part of Team USA? What are your thoughts?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.