Storm’s Katie Lou Samuelson Withdraws from Olympics After Testing Positive for COVID-19
Yet another US Olympian will be forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympics, as Seattle Storm forward Katie Lou Samuelson announced on her Instagram that she has tested positive for COVID-19.
Samuelson was originally set to be on the roster for the USA’s first-ever 3×3 team.
Due to her diagnosis, Samuelson was placed under USA Basketball’s health and safety protocols on Saturday despite being fully vaccinated. The former fourth overall pick would have been the first USA player to compete at both the Youth Olympic Games and the Olympics.
The former UConn Husky standout will be replaced by Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, joining Aces teammate Kelsey Plum, Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson and Dallas Wings guard Allisha Gray before the Games begin.
A third-year pro in the WNBA, Samuelson wasn’t a newcomer to playing 3×3 in international competition, having played on the USA’s 3×3 national team at the 2019 World Beach Games in Qatar. Young also participated in the 3×3 Olympic qualifying team training camp in February of 2020 in Chicago.
Suffice it to say, Samuelson’s experience will be missed.
With a retooled roster, the USA 3×3 team is set open the tournament on Saturday against France followed by Mongolia.
