WNBA star out of Olympics after positive COVID-19 test

WNBA star Katie Lou Samuelson will not participate in the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for COVID-19. 

“Katie Lou Samuelson, who was placed under USA Basketball’s health & safety protocols on Saturday, will remain in protocol & will be unable to participate in the Tokyo Olympic Games,” USA Basketball tweeted Monday.

“Our hearts are broken for Lou. We thank her for her endless commitment to building up USA Basketball 3×3 & we will miss her dearly in Tokyo,” the organization added. 

Our hearts are broken for Lou. We thank her for her endless commitment to building up USA Basketball 3×3 & we will miss her dearly in Tokyo. #USABfamily

— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) July 19, 2021

Samuelson, who plays for the defending WNBA champions Seattle Storm, shared in an Instagram post that she’s “devastated” by her recent diagnosis, indicating that she was fully vaccinated and followed COVID-19 guidelines as well. 

“Competing in the Olympics has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl and I hope someday soon, I can come back to realize that dream,” Samuelson said. “I wish nothing but the best to my USAB teammates as they go out there and crush it. I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.”

Samuelson joins other prominent U.S. athletes including Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal and tennis star Coco Gauff who have had to drop out of their respective teams due to health and safety protocols. 

Samuelson was a part of Team USA’s 3×3 basketball team which includes Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum, Chicago Sky center Stefanie Dolson and Dallas Wings guard Allisha Gray, according to a USA Today report.

Team USA’s first 3×3 matchup is against France on Saturday. Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young will replace Samuelson on the team, USA Today noted.