COVID-19 knocks Knicks’ Immanuel Quickley out of Team USA training camp
Immanuel Quickley’s Team USA experience is over because of COVID-19.
The Knicks guard was pulled from training camp in Vegas because of contact tracing, according to a source, joining two other members of the Select squad — PJ Washington and Miles Bridges — to have COVID protocols end their organized workouts.
Team USA coach Gregg Popovich said three players on the Select Team tested positive but he misspoke because Quickley did not, according to a source. Popovich added that no members of the senior squad — which faces Nigeria in an exhibition Saturday — tested positive.
The Select squad has been training with the Olympic team in Vegas and will end formal workouts Friday.
The Olympics opener is July 25 against France in Tokyo.
Quickley, who was joined on the Select Team by Knicks teammate Obi Toppin, said Wednesday that he was “grateful” for the opportunity to work with Kevin Durant, in particular.
“Just to get to pick people’s brains, like talking to Kevin Durant today,” Quickley said. “Just being around the best pros and best basketball players in the world is a great experience.
“Just talking to KD today and he told me we can get some work in when we’re here. That’s probably the best thing any of these guys can say. They’re willing to work out with us and teach us. That was one of the best things I heard today.’'
Quickley, who is the only Knicks guard currently with a guaranteed contract next season, averaged 11.4 points last season as an All-Rookie selection. However, his production dipped in the playoffs, where the 23-year-old averaged just 5.8 points in 15.4 minutes while shooting 30%.
The Knicks lost to the Hawks in five games.
“I think we look at is as we let an opportunity slip away,’' Quickley said. “We feel like we came far but we could have went even further. Atlanta’s a great team, credit to them. We just didn’t play our best so just coming back in the offseason we’re going to continue to work hard, continue to get better and just be ready for next season.’'
