Written by Joseph Zucker at Bleacher Report.com
Another marquee star will be unavailable for the United States men’s basketball team at the 2016 Summer Olympics. As ESPN.com’s Marc Stein first reported, San Antonio Spurs power forward LaMarcus Aldridge removed himself from the Team USA player pool Monday in order to allow a finger and hand injury to heal.
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford confirmed the news, per theAssociated Press, and added the team will “always support a player’s decision when it comes to participation with his national team.”
Aldridge’s decision came on the same day Stephen Curryannounced he won’t play at the Olympic Games, per ESPN.com, which begin Aug. 5.
Stein noted the other NBA stars who have bowed out for health reasons
Even healthy NBA stars may be having reservations about playing in the Olympics because of the spread of the Zika virus in Brazil.
In a statement in late May, the World Health Organization said moving the Olympics from Rio de Janeiro or canceling them altogether wouldn’t impact the spread of the disease, but the Telegraph‘s Donna Bowater reported Saturday the WHO is again looking into the potential health risks posed by the Olympics.
USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told Stein on Monday that no American players have removed themselves from consideration as a result of the Zika virus.
The Bay Area News Group’s Marcus Thompson, however, reportedAndre Iguodala may skip the Olympics because of the threat Zika poses. According to Thompson, LeBron James and Russell Westbrookmay join him.
Pau Gasol’s availability for Spain’s national team is up in the air as well after he expressed concern about playing in Brazil.
Losing Aldridge is a blow for the United States. The 30-year-old averaged 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in his first season with the Spurs. He also registered the highest field-goal percentage (51.3) of his NBA career.
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