Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook has decided not to join the USA Team in this summer's World Cup. Westbrook has been a favorite of national coach Mike Krzyzewski and he has been with the team during the 2010 and '12 world championships as well as in the Olympics where the team has won the gold medal. Westbrook still wishes that he can play in the 2016 World Cup Tournament in Brazil.
According to USA Today's' Jeff Zillgitt "USA Basketball's Jerry Colangelo confirmed report that Thunder guard Russell Westbrook will miss this summer's FIBA World Championship."
Over the last 15 months, Westbrook has had three surgeries on his right knee. He got the injury during the 2013 playoffs when Patrick Beverley fell on him during a steal. It was because of this that he chose not to play in Spain as the commitment includes a July training camp, August exhibition tour and September tournament.
The 25 year old point guard averages 26.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 2.2 steals during the postseason.
The California native was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft by the Seattle SuperSonics. The Seatle SuperSonics relocated to Oklahoma City six days after his draft. During his first season in the NBA, he was then named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He is a three time All Star Player and is a three-time member of the All-NBA Second Team.
With this decision, a couple of other players is in line to cover for his absence. Golden State's Stephen Curry, Cleveland's Kyrie Irving and Portland's Damian Lillard will have the opportunity to compete for the spot left by Westbrook. Chicago's Derrick Rose on the other hand is still undecided whether he will join the team in Spain or not.
Westbrook is a great player and his presence inside the court is highly explosive especially when he is on his A game. But health is far more important this time round. Three surgeries is still something to look out for and his decision to opt out from the completion will be much more beneficial to his career in the future.
