Hindi na matutunghayan si Kyle Lowry ng NBA champion Toronto Raptors sa Team USA sa parating na FIBA World Cup matapos itong umatras sa mga ikokonsiderang players para sa national pool.
Paliwanag ni Lowry, hindi kasi ito makasali sa mga on-court workouts dahil sa hinlalaki nitong isinailalim sa operasyon.
Nitong nakaraang buwan nang sumailalim si Lowry sa operasyon upang ayusin ang napunit na tendon na natamo nito noong NBA playoffs.
“I was hoping to be available in time to help my country in their quest for gold in this upcoming tournament,” saad ni Lowry sa Instagram. “I love playing for USAB but I have to sit this one out and support the team from home.”
Una na ring umatras si Sacramento Kings forward Marvin Bagley III dahil sa prayoridad nito ang darating na bagong NBA season.
Ayon naman kay USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo, may nakahanda na raw silang back-up plan sakaling hindi payagan si Lowry na makapaglaro.
“We have guys who can play different positions, guys with character, versatility and athleticism,” wika ni Colangelo. “And we think it’s a hungry group.”
Dahil dito, 15 na lamang ang nalalabing players na ikokonsidera para sa 12 spots ng Team USA Basketball na hawak ni coach Gregg Popovich.
Kabilang dito sina All-Star guard Kemba Walker, Kyle Kuzma ng Lakers, Khris Middleton ng Bucks, at Donovan Mitchell ng Utah Jazz.
