Team USA will report to training camp in August, ahead of September’s FIBA Basketball World Cup.
But they’ll reportedly do so without All-NBA center Anthony Davis, per a report by Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. Davis — who would also pull himself out of the player pool for the competition — will instead focus “the bulk of his offseason on preparing for a championship run” with the Los Angeles Lakers, whom he officially joined July 6 following a protracted courting.
Yahoo Sources: Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will remove himself from USA Basketball training camp and FIBA World Cup to focus on championship quest. https://t.co/RTWxdrHFWH
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 15, 2019
Davis, who has averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his seven seasons with New Orleans, won a gold medal representing USA Basketball at the 2012 London Olympics ahead of his rookie year. He has since earned three All-NBA First Team and six All-Star appearances.
Haynes wrote the decision had been confirmed by Davis’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.