PJ Tucker pulls out of Team USA World Cup squad
Team USA’s World Cup roster will just about pick itself, with yet another withdrawal leaving 14 players competing for 12 spots on the eve of their tour Down Under.
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The big guns pulled out early.
The smaller guns began to ditch last month.
And now another role player has removed himself from Team USA calculations with Houston Rocket PJ Tucker the latest in a long line of eligible NBA talent to withdraw from World Cup consideration.
At least this one is due to an injury.
Tucker, a versatile three-and-d forward, suffered a minor ankle issue, twisting it twice in the past few days.
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The 34-year-old averaged 7.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Rockets last season, starting all 82 games.
He wants the injury to be healed for the Rockets’ training camp, he told Fox USA.
“It’s hard to have an injury in this situation,” Tucker said.
“USA Basketball is such a big deal, but then to have the NBA season coming up, it’s tough. It’s always hard for me because I want to play.
“As bad as I want to play for USA, the Rockets, it’s a big season for me.
“Selfishly I want to play for USA. It stinks. It’s still fresh. So it still hurts.”
At least it makes master coach Gregg Popovich’s job easier, with now only two players to cut from the squad of 14 — 12 will go to China.
All 14 will be in Melbourne for the Marvel Stadium clashes on Thursday and Saturday, Tucker’s withdrawal just a blip on a radar that has already seen the likes of Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Anthony Davis and company withdraw their names — incensing some fans who spent thousands on tickets.
The Americans are set to land in Australia on Monday night.
Team USA squad: De’Aaron Fox, Kyle Kuzma, Harrison Barnes, Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Mason Plumlee, Marcus Smart, Derrick White, Joe Harris, Brook Lopez, Donovan Mitchell, Khris Middleton, Myles Turner.
Originally published as PJ Tucker pulls out of Team USA World Cup squad
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