10 Notable NBA players not participating in 2020 Tokyo Olympics

#8 Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook (with LeBron James) at the USA Basketball Men's National Team Training Camp in 2015

Given the injuries to other star guards, Russell Westbrook was expected to participate in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics given his prior Olympic experience. He was, in fact, a finalist for the Team USA roster along with his Wizards teammate Bradley Beal, but when the final roster was announced, he was not on it. Westbrook won gold for the USA at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2010 FIBA World Cup.

Bradley Beal, Russell Westbrook named finalists for U.S. Olympic roster https://t.co/0SjUTuEWuL

— NBC Sports Wizards (@NBCSWizards) March 11, 2021

#9 Ben Simmons

Ben Simmons with the Australia men's National Basketball Team

The Australian Basketball Federation reported that Ben Simmons has withdrawn from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Simmons informed head coach Brian Goorjian that he wants to spend the summer on individual skill development and he wishes the team well. Coach Goorjian spoke about Simmons declining the invitation for the Summer Games, saying:

"I have spoken with Ben and whilst we wanted him to be a part of our team, we understand and support his decision and he has made it clear that this is something that he wants to be a part of in the future...It is a pretty rough time for him right now and I know it is something that he wanted to do, but the timing just hasn’t worked."

Ben Simmons won the gold medal for Australia at the 2013 FIBA Oceania Championship and the silver medal at the 2017 FIBA World U17 Championship.

#10 Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis representing USA at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup

Anthony Davis hasn't played much basketball all year. He was sidelined for a major chunk of the 2020-21 NBA season and also missed time in the 2021 NBA playoffs. It is understandable that he would withdraw from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He is one of the prime NBA centers that would have provided defense and size on the Team USA roster. Davis won gold medals for the USA at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

LeBron James, Anthony Davis to skip Olympics: Report https://t.co/jxdiGjxLQx pic.twitter.com/MYeIWx3m6m

— Ottawa Sun (@ottawasuncom) June 8, 2021