Rowan Barrett, the general manager of the Canadian Olympic basketball team, announced on Friday that Golden State is preventing Andrew Wiggins from participating in the Paris Olympics. However, the Warriors maintained that the decision was made jointly between the team and Wiggins. Wiggins was one of the 20 players invited to the camp to try out for the Olympic team.
Barrett expressed disappointment in Golden State’s decision, stating that Wiggins had been training rigorously for weeks in preparation for the Olympics. He mentioned that he had been in regular communication with Wiggins and was surprised when the Warriors informed him that they would not be allowing Wiggins to participate in the camp.
Despite Barrett’s assertions, the Warriors clarified that the decision was mutual between Wiggins and the team. The NBA veteran, who last played for Canada in an Olympic qualifying tournament in 2021, was looking forward to representing his country in the Olympics, especially considering his mother’s history as an Olympian.
Barrett expressed sympathy for Wiggins, acknowledging the challenges he has faced in recent years and his perseverance in working towards the Olympics. He noted that Wiggins seemed to be on an upward trajectory in his career and was disappointed that he would not be able to join the Canadian team in Paris.