This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On July 20, 2019, the Houston Rockets' star player, James Harden, announced that he would be skipping the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Harden made this decision to focus on preparing for the upcoming NBA season with his new-look team, which recently acquired Russell Westbrook in a trade.
While Harden will not be participating in the World Cup, his teammates Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker are still slated to play for the USA, which will hold a training camp in Las Vegas from August 5-9 before the World Cup begins in China on August 31.
This decision comes on the heels of Anthony Davis's withdrawal from consideration for the US World Cup team, which will be coached by San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
