MANILA, Philippines – Hindi maglalaro ang dalawa sa mga pinakasikat na guards ngayon sa NBA para sa Team USA sa darating na 2016 Olympic Games sa Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Inihayag kahapon ni Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Russell Westbrook na inalis niya ang kanyang pangalan para sa mga ikukunsidera sa US Olympic team.
Walang idinahilan ang five-time All-Star at 2016 All-NBA First Team selection ukol sa kanyang naging desisyon.
“After speaking with my family, I have decided to not participate in this year’s Olympics. 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. I look forward to future opportunities as a member of USA Basketball,” wika ni Westbrook.
Ito rin ang inihayag ni James Harden ng Houston Rockets.
“As a result of many difficult conversations with my family, the Rockets, and trusted advisors, I’ve notified Jerry Colangelo and Team USA that I will not be competing at the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in Brazil,” ani Harden.
Si Harden ay miyembro ng 2012 London Olympic gold medal team at naging team captain para sa 2014 FIBA gold medal squad.
Bukod kina Westbrook at Harden, ang iba pang nauna nang umatras sa paglalaro sa Rio Olympics ay sina Stephen Curry, Chris Paul at John Wall.
Inaasahan namang magsusuot ng uniporme ng Team USA sina Damian Lillard, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler at Mike Conley.
Samantala, isinama naman si 6’11 Sacramento Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins sa Team USA.