Cavaliers center Kevin Love is the latest NBA star to withdraw from Team USA ahead of the FIBA World Cup, The Athletic reported Wednesday.
The report said Love is "expected to withdraw" from the team's training camp, which runs Aug. 5-9. No reason was cited. That news comes one day after reports that Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard had withdrawn. In the last 10 days or so, the original 20-man Team USA roster of invitees has also seen the loss of James Harden, Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal, Tobias Harris, CJ McCollum and Eric Gordon.
Zion Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in the recent NBA Draft, also withdrew from the 10-man "select" team of young players who would have had an opportunity to make the final 12-man team.
The exodus has led Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo and head coach Gregg Popovich to extend invitations to several other players. The Athletic reported that Celtics stars Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Chicago Bulls forward Thaddeus Young and Knicks forward Julius Randle have accepted invites. Spurs forward DeMar DeRozan reportedly accepted, then declined an invitation.
Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, meanwhile, is expected to be ready to join the team midway through training camp after recovering from thumb surgery, according to The Athletic.
The FIBA Basketball World Cup runs Aug. 31 through Sept. 15 in China.
