JAMAL Murray has joined the growing list of NBA stars who will miss the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.
Through Canada Basketball's official statement, the newly minted NBA champion revealed his decision to sit out the global showpiece.
“When I came into training camp, I wanted to see how my body would respond after a long and demanding season and if I would be physically able to compete at the highest level required for the World Cup,” Murray said.
“In consultation with medical staff and the team, it is clear that additional recovery is required, and I have made the difficult decision to not participate in the tournament," he added.
READ: Check out the rest of the projected Canda starters aside from Jamal Murray
National team general manager and executive vice president Rowan Barrett confirmed Murray’s exclusion from Canada’s final 12-man roster after talks with the player and medical team.
“After numerous discussions over the last several weeks with Jamal and team medical staff, it became clear that additional recovery and rehab would prevent Jamal from joining our team for the upcoming FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup,” Barrett said.
A tall order awaits the Canadians in their tournament opener against reigning bronze medalist France (Aug. 25) in Group H, before facing Lebanon (Aug. 27) and Latvia (Aug. 29) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Two Olympic spots for Paris 2024 are also up for grabs for Canada and six other Fiba Americas sides in this year's World Cup.
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