Westbrook says he won't play for US basketball in Olympics
The U.S. Olympic basketball team has lost an All-NBA backcourt this week.
Russell Westbrook said Friday he wouldn't play for the Americans in Rio, just days after Stephen Curry also withdrew from consideration.
Westbrook decided not to play after talking with his family. He didn't give a reason for pulling out in his statement released through the Oklahoma City Thunder.
"This was not an easy decision, as representing my country at the World Championships in 2010 and the Olympics in 2012 were career highlights for me," Westbrook said. "I look forward to future opportunities as a member of USA Basketball."
Curry, the unanimous NBA MVP, pulled out Monday, saying he wanted to rest recent knee and ankle injuries.
Curry and Westbrook were the first-team guards on the All-NBA team, and among the reasons the point guard position was considered a strength for the Americans.
But with their absences after Chris Paul declined to play and John Wall was injured, the two-time defending gold medalists are down to just Cleveland's Kyrie Irving, Portland's Damian Lillard and Memphis' Mike Conley at that position.
Lillard was cut before the 2014 Basketball World Cup and was the last player added to USA Basketball's 31-player roster pool for Rio. Neither he nor Conley have played for the Americans.
Irving was the MVP when the Americans won gold in Spain two years ago.
The Americans plan to announce their 12-player roster on June 27. USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said earlier this week that he was considering 14 or 15 players from the original pool.
