Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin pulled out of Team USA training camp for the FIBA World Cup due to a small crack in his back that requires more time to heal properly.
According to ESPN, doctors had advised Griffin to take more time away from basketball so the crack in his back will heal properly. ESPN has been told that Griffin will make a full recovery, but playing in the World Cup was not a smart option.
“Griffin is expected to make a full recovery from the injury, which sources say was suffered during the playoffs. However, doctors advised him to sit out international competition this summer for precautionary reasons.
Griffin has continued to work out this summer in Los Angeles with teammate DeAndre Jordan and former Laker and Clipper Sasha Vujacic.”
Griffin and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love have both withdrew from the World Cup, but Love cited “his current status” as a legitimate reason to not participate in the event. Due to the teams lack of front court depth, Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap was a late addition to the roster.
Doctors have maintained that Griffin suffered the injury during the Clippers playoff run, but a recent video shows the Los Angeles forward doing a backflip into the ocean before being selected to the World Cup team. There is no word when the video was recorded, but it was only posted to YouTube on June 28.
"I want to focus & dedicate 100 % of my energy on improving & preparing for the upcoming season." -Blake Griffin declining TEAM USA camp
— NBA Authority (@NBA_Authority) July 24, 2014
CLIPPERS. Blake Griffin has a small Fracture in his back. No Surgery but No FIBA World Cup — Dr. Robert Klapper (@DrRobertKlapper) July 29, 2014
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