Another veteran has withdrawn from Team USA’s World Cup roster, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, who reports (via Twitter) that an ankle injury will sideline P.J. Tucker. The Rockets forward will focus on getting healthy and preparing for training camp, per Charania.
Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle notes (via Twitter) that Tucker turned his left ankle in a practice on Thursday and has been diagnosed with a mild sprain. The 34-year-old had been “extremely enthusiastic” about participating in the World Cup, so he’ll be disappointed to miss it, Feigen adds.
It was less than a week ago that USA Basketball announced 17 finalists for its World Cup roster. Since then, Tucker, Kyle Lowry, and Marvin Bagley have all pulled out, leaving 14 contenders for the final 12-man roster.
Harrison Barnes, Jaylen Brown, De’Aaron Fox, Joe Harris, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, Khris Middleton, Donovan Mitchell, Mason Plumlee, Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Myles Turner, Kemba Walker, and Derrick White remain in the mix to represents Team USA in China. The 2019 World Cup will get underway on August 31.
It’s just as well, he doesn’t need to be wasting his energy playing meaningless games in China. People don’t realize how important he is to the Rockets. He doesn’t score a lot of points, or get a lot of rebounds, but his defense is excellent and his 3-point shooting from the corner is also one of the best in the NBA.
So it doesn’t matter that he wanted this?
Of course it mattered to him, but winning a championship with the Rockets will be a far greater accomplishment for him than winning the World Cup in China.
I would of cut Tucker if I was pop so this helps pop
Why would he cut the best defender on the team?
Who would you pick him over in this group? Harris? Anyone else?
PJ Tucker would have easily made the 12-man roster over Harris, Kuzma, or Plumlee.
They’re gonna bring home the bronze regardless. If that.