Blake Griffin announced Thursday that he will not take part in this summer’s FIBA World Cup tournament for team USA. In a statement on the subject Griffin said he wanted to “focus and dedicate 100% of my energy on improving and preparing for my upcoming season with the Clippers.”
Griffin joins fellow Portland Trailbazer LaMarcus Aldridge and San Antonio Spur Kawhi Leonard to sit out on this summer according to NBC. Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski and his staff will start training camp on Monday in Las Vegas. They are tasked to narrow their roster of 19 players down to 12 before the FIBA World Cup tournament in Spain, which commences on August 30.
With a gold medal in Spain, Team USA would receive an automatic qualification for the 2016 Olympics according to USA Today.
Griffin is coming off the best season of his career. Griffin ranked sixth in the NBA with 24.1 points per game, and added 9.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contests as the Clippers clinched the third-best record.
Griffin needs as much time to rest and recover, especially with his physical style of play.