The United States probably should have used Jerami Grant in its Olympic men’s basketball opener on Sunday. It certainly couldn’t have hurt.
Grant was the only member of Team USA’s 12-player roster not to see the floor in the opening 83-76 loss to France, although the much-larger story will be the United States losing in the Olympics for the first time since 2004, a result that prompted USA Basketball to bring in Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski to lead the program.
Krzyzewski brought in friend and Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim to serve as an assistant, and the pair went on a fantastic run to win three consecutive gold medals together, creating expectations of dominance for the United States moving forward.
If Team USA wants to make it four straight gold medals it will now have work to do. The United States will play again on Wednesday against Iran.
The Americans struggled through their exhibition games, splitting four competitions. Still, there was an assumption that the lights would turn on for the collection of NBA stars when the games started to count. The Americans were led by 18 points from Jrue Holiday.
Grant’s absence from the court was particularly notable because two late additions to the team, forward Keldon Johnson and center JaVale McGee, both played.
It will be interesting to hear Team USA coach Gregg Popovich explain his decision not to utilize Grant, as well as to watch and see if Grant has a larger role moving forward.
Grant did miss a chunk of Team USA’s preparation at the end of its training camp and exhibition schedule after being placed into coronavirus safety protocols, although he was able to play in the team’s final exhibition game against Spain.
In other action involving Central New York connections, former Syracuse softball star Jenna Caira and Team Canada lost 1-0 to Japan in extra innings on Sunday, falling to 2-2 during the pool portion of the event. Canada’s only losses have come in 1-0 games against the favorites from the U.S. and Japan.
Despite the defeat, Canada will play in the bronze-medal game. With two wins, the Canadians have clinched at least a tie for third-place in the six-team softball standings. They hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over any of the teams that could match them.
Caira continued to pitch well for Canada in the event, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings in the loss. She walked one batter. She has pitched in every game so far for Canada, allowing just a single run against the United States.
The bronze medal game will take place at midnight on Monday. It is scheduled to be broadcast on CNBC. Canada has never won an Olympic medal in softball.
In rowing, competitors from Syracuse and Cornell both advanced through the repechage round. Syracuse’s Hattie Taylor (Great Britain) helped her four-woman team win its race against a field that included the United States and advanced to the final, while Cornell’s Tracy Eisser and teammate Megan Kalmoe finished second in their pairs race while representing the United States and advanced to the semifinals.
Cornell rower Michael Grady and his four-person boat, representing the United States, had already advanced to the final by performing well enough during their preliminary heat. The next races in rowing won’t be contested until Wednesday because of a forecasted typhoon.
Upcoming events
Syracuse University’s Jenna Caira and the Canadian softball team play their final pool game against Italy on Monday at 1:30 a.m.
Syracuse University’s Kayla Alexander and the Canadian women’s basketball team plays their first game against Serbia on Monday at 4:30 a.m.
Contact Chris Carlson anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-412-1639
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