Katie Lou Samuelson, a pivotal member of the first 3x3 U.S. women's basketball team, will not compete in the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Samuelson was placed into COVID-19 health and safety protocols over the weekend and will not be able to participate in the competition, USA Basketball announced Monday.
The Seattle Storm guard will be replaced by Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, just days before the Olympics begin.
Young will participate in the inaugural competition with Aces teammate Kelsey Plum, as well as Stefanie Dolson of the Chicago Sky and Allisha Gray of the Dallas Wings.
Samuelson posted on Instagram that she is "devastated" and also revealed that she is fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Young previously played on a USA Basketball 3x3 national team at the 2019 World Beach Games in Doha, Qatar. Young also participated in the 2020 USA 3x3 Olympic qualifying team training camp in February 2020 in Chicago and she attended trials for the 2017 USA U23 national team and the 2014 USA U17 World Cup team.
Having started in 21 games so far this season for the Aces, Young is averaging 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
