Stephen Curry Withdraws From Consideration For Rio Olympics

USA Basketball chairman and USA Men’s National Team managing director Jerry Colangelo released a statement Monday regarding back-to-back NBA MVP Stephen Curry’s announcement that he has withdrawn from consideration for a spot on the Team USA roster in this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.

Stephen Curry Withdraws From Consideration For Rio Olympics

The statement reads: “Since Steph’s recent injuries, I’ve been in contact with him and I was aware that this decision was a strong possibility.  We appreciate Steph and his agent, Jeff Austin, keeping USA Basketball updated on his decision process.

“Obviously we are disappointed that Steph will not be available this summer, but we understand these situations arise and we are fully supportive of his decision. Steph is a two-time FIBA World Cup gold medalist who has a lot of equity with USA Basketball and has made great contributions since he first began playing the United States at the 2007 FIBA U19 World Championship. Steph has always represented his country in an exemplary manner, and we are sorry that he won’t be able to be with us this summer.”

Curry, 28, is just two games away from leading the Golden State Warriors to a second consecutive championship, as the Warriors now lead the Cleveland Cavaliers 2-0 in the NBA Finals. He suffered a Grade 1 MCL sprain in the Warriors’ first-round series with the Houston Rockets and missed four games, but has been given his usual workload in 11 games since. Curry won a gold medal with USA Basketball in both the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Cups, but has not yet played in the Olympics.

“After a great deal of internal thought and several discussions with my family, the Warriors and my representatives, I’ve elected to withdraw my name from the list of eligible players on Team USA’s preliminary roster for the 2016 Summer Games in Brazil,” Curry said in a statement released by the Warriors. “I recently informed (USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo) of this decision.”

Curry cited both his ankle and knee injuries as reasons, among several other unnamed factors, for his decision to withdraw. He also added that he will concentrate on his fitness and preparing for the upcoming NBA season.

The field of 31 finalists for the USA Men’s Basketball Team has yet to be narrowed down to the official 12-man roster. Curry joins Chris Paul, Anthony Davis and Blake Griffin as All-Star finalists who will miss the Games due to injury concerns.

PHOTO: OAKLAND, CA – DECEMBER 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts towards the crowd during their game against the Milwaukee Bucks at ORACLE Arena on December 18, 2015 in Oakland, California

Article by Pablo Mena