Mitchell has declined to participate in the Tokyo Olympics

Hardy has emerged as the frontrunner and should be closing in on a five-year deal shortly. Photo: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah. — Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell has declined the chance to play for Team USA in the Tokyo Summer Olympics, says ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The 24-year-old “will use the time to recover and rehab from his right ankle injury.”

The University of Louisville cardinal led the Jazz to the Western Conference Semifinals where they lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in six games. He averaged career-highs in points (26.4 PPG), assists (5.2 APG), and three-point percentage (38.6%) this season. The Jazz had the best regular-season record in the league this year at 52-20.

Despite Mitchell’s absence, the U.S. is expected to have a strong roster. According to Marc Stein of The New York Times, stars such as Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden, and Devin Booker are expected to be on team USA.