The upcoming FIBA World Cup might be must-see TV for basketball fans around the world, with plenty of the world’s best players set to compete for gold later this month.
With Team USA showcasing a new roster of talented young players and Team Canada being a legitimate threat for the first time in recent memory, the FIBA World Cup could be entertaining, especially after Spain gave the United States a run for its money in an exhibition game.
Unfortunately, even though the NBA is full of incredibly talented international players these days, quite a few star players have pulled out of the tournament that will get underway on August 25.
Boston Celtics newcomer Kristaps Porzingis is the latest international star to announce that he will not be playing in the FIBA World Cup, as he said the following on Twitter about his decision.
Ir grūti, es jūtos ļoti atbildīgs savu un Latvijas valstsvienības atbalstītāju priekšā, taču ir pieņemts lēmums, ka es nespēlēšu Pasaules kausā.
Pēc vairāku nedēļu atlabšanas procesa un atkārtota MRI izmeklējuma, vēl joprojām pēdas plantārais fascīts man neļauj atrasties uz… pic.twitter.com/mvyk4Dj8lU
— Kristaps Porzingis (@kporzee) August 15, 2023
Porzingis is one of many stars to sit this tournament out in order to prepare for the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season.
Along with Porzingis not playing for Latvia this time around, Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece), Victor Wembanyama (France), Ricky Rubio (Spain), Ben Simmons (Australia), and Nikola Jokic (Serbia) will also not be participating.
Quite a few top-tier NBA players have chosen not to play in this summer’s tournament, but it should be entertaining regardless, with a lot of young players around the league committing to playing.
A few notable stars on the rise outside of players on Team USA’s roster that will be showcased include Karl-Anthony Towns (Dominican Republic), Jordan Clarkson (Philippines), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Serbia), Josh Giddey (Australia), Dennis Schroder (Germany), Luka Doncic (Slovenia), Jamal Murray (Canada), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Canada), and Rudy Gobert (France).
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