Phoenix Suns Center Robin Lopez, Citing Back Issues, Declines Invitation To Team USA Basketball Camp

It turns out Robin Lopez won't be giving it a go for Team USA, after all. Even though the Suns center was invited to training camp in Las Vegas last week, Lopez has decided not to participate. Instead, he will continue to heal a back injury that slowed him down...

By Eric Smith

July 20, 2010

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It turns out Robin Lopez won't be giving it a go for Team USA, after all.

Even though the Suns center was invited to training camp in Las Vegas last week, Lopez has decided not to participate.

Instead, he will continue to heal a back injury that slowed him down in the playoffs last season.

While Lopez would have had a chance to showcase his talent to the world, sitting this one out is a smart move.

Odds are that he wouldn't have played much (if he made the team at all), so this rest and rehabilitation should please the Suns.

Lopez's twin brother, Brook, is competing for a spot on the squad. Brook Lopez said his brother's decision is a safe one.

"I think it's just a precaution,'' Brook Lopez told FanHouse."His back is doing fine. Just precautionary.''

Another player who won't be suiting up for the red, white, and blue is former Suns star Amar'e Stoudemire, who is now with the New York Knicks.

Appartently the Knicks don't cover the insurance of Amar'e playing in international games. You would think they'd be able to afford that since they just signed him to a huge $100 million contract.

Team USA will play in the world championships in Turkey from August 28-September 12.

The camp runs from July 19-24, with players who make the final roster meeting in New York next month for more training before leaving for Turkey.

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