Report: Anthony Davis withdraws from Team USA camp and FIBA Basketball World Cup to focus on upcoming Lakers season

Benyam Kidane

Report: Anthony Davis withdraws from Team USA camp and FIBA Basketball World Cup to focus on upcoming Lakers season image

Team USA is gearing up for a big summer, but they'll now do so without Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis, who has withdrawn himself from their upcoming training camp and will not play at the FIBA World Cup in China, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

The six-time All-Star will instead spend "the bulk of his offseason on preparing for a championship run" with the Los Angeles Lakers, however, he is reportedly still in the mix to play for Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. 

Davis, who won gold with Team USA at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 World Cup, was initially selected in Team USA's 20-man pool of players, who will assemble next month for camp before the final 12-man squad is selected.

With the Lakers tabbed as one of the league's title favourites for next season, Davis is primed for a big season playing alongside LeBron James after a drawn-out exit from the New Orleans Pelicans.

“I like our roster, I like every player that we have from (player) one through 14,” Davis said as he was offically unveiled as a Laker over the weekend. “I’m excited about it. I’ll put our roster up against anybody. I feel like that in a seven-game series that we would come out victorious.”


The 26-year-old has averaged 23.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in his seven seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans.

 

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.