Stephen Curry has taken himself out of the running to play on the U.S. Olympic basketball team at this summer's Rio Games, the NBA MVP announced Monday. The Golden State Warriors guard cited "several factors — including recent ankle and knee injuries" as the basis for his decision. Though he called his previous experiences with U.S.A. Basketball "incredibly rewarding, educational, and enjoyable" and said the opportunity to wear the country's jersey is "an incredible honor," Curry wrote in a statement released Monday that he thinks this is the "best decision for me at this stage in my career."
"My primary basketball-related objective this summer needs to focus on my body and getting ready for the 2016-17 NBA season," the statement said. Curry missed six games in the postseason because of an injury to his right knee. His Warriors are currently competing in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Curry has previously won two world titles with Team U.S.A. and was a starter when the team won the Basketball World Cup in 2014. The U.S.A. Men's National Team, which won gold in 2008 and 2012, will also be missing two of its other NBA All-Star players in Rio de Janeiro, as both Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul and New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis have pulled out due to injury.
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