Stephen Curry has withdrawn from consideration from the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, leaving the U.S. basketball team without the NBA’s two-time MVP.
Curry said in a statement released on Monday that he has decided to pull out for a number of reasons, including his recent injuries.
He didn’t say what the other factors were that he referenced. Several athletes have expressed concerns about the cleanliness of the water in Rio de Janeiro and the Zika virus.
The guard is the highest-profile absence for the two-time defending gold medalists, who will already be without all-stars Chris Paul and Anthony Davis.
Curry has won a pair of world titles with the Americans and was a starter when they won the FIBA World Cup in 2014. He had spoken of wanting the chance to win an Olympic gold medal, but missed six games in the postseason with a right knee injury.
“My previous experiences with USA Basketball have been incredibly rewarding, educational and enjoyable, which made this an extremely difficult decision for me and my family,” Curry said. “However, due to several factors — including recent ankle and knee injuries — I believe this is the best decision for me at this stage of my career.”
Curry said he had spoken with his family, the Golden State Warriors and his representatives, and recently informed USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo that he would not go to Brazil.
“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,” Colangelo said.
The Americans have a list of 31 players in their roster pool for this summer — and plan to name their 12-man roster later this month.
Curry, the first player to be voted a unanimous MVP and the league’s leading scorer, certainly would have been on it. He started all nine games for the Americans in Spain, averaging 10.7 points, and his USA Basketball experience dates to when he played for the under-19 team in 2007 that won a silver medal.
He could have been the team’s biggest star in Rio de Janeiro, with Kobe Bryant retired and LeBron James still uncommitted. Curry decided it’s more important that he rest, following a demanding regular season in which the Warriors set a record with 73 victories and a postseason run that has also included ankle and elbow injuries.
“It’s an incredible honor to represent your country and wear ’USA’ on your chest, but my primary basketball-related objective this summer needs to focus on my body and getting ready for the 2016-17 NBA season,” Curry said.
The Warriors, who have a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, could still have a strong presence at the Olympics. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes remain candidates for the U.S. team, while Australia’s Andrew Bogut, Brazil’s Anderson Varejao and Leandro Barbosa and Nigeria’s Festus Ezeli are on their countries’ rosters.
Paul, who won two golds with the U.S., had already opted not to play this time, and the Washington Wizards’ John Wall and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley are recovering from injuries. The Americans still have Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook and the Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard as possibilities at the position.
Curry likely would have started either ahead of them or alongside one in the U.S. backcourt, as he did as the shooting guard next to Irving in 2014. He made 43.8 percent of his attempts then from the shorter international 3-point arc, and the Americans will miss his shooting against the zone defenses they face.
Colangelo said he had been in contact with Curry since his injuries and was aware the decision to withdraw was possible.
“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,” Colangelo said.
Curry will miss the chance to play for the Americans in his home arena, as the U.S. will play China in an exhibition game at Oracle Arena in July.
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