Steven Adams unavailable for New Zealand national team

Published Jul. 27, 2015 2:23 a.m. ET

foxsports

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams has made himself unavailable for New Zealand's Oceania Olympic basketball qualifying series against Australia next month.

Fairfax Media reports Monday that Adams' management company said the 22-year-old was unable to play in the matches at Melbourne on Aug. 15 and Wellington on Aug. 18 because of ''scheduling conflicts.''

The report quoted Wasserman Media as saying that because of those conflicts ''and Steven's focus on being ready for the start of the 2015-2016 regular season'' he would be unable to join the New Zealand team for the Oceania qualifiers.

The winner of the two-match series between Australia and New Zealand will qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janiero Olympic Games.