FIBA reports:
Poland have just announced that their only NBA player, Marcin Gortat of the Phoenix Suns, will not feature this summer because of the failure to acquire an insurance policy he requires to take part.
Most of the burden of obtaining insurance for NBA players fell on the basketball federations when the NBA lockout began and league operations were shut down.
In a statement on the Polish Basketball Federation’s website, Polish Basketball Federation president Grzegorz Bachanski said: “Marcin really wanted to play but the situation that occurred this year, I of course mean the lockout, meant that this is not possible.
“Of course it is sad for us, but I am trying to think more broadly in the next few years.
“And Marcin Gortat in the future we will be needed.”
Gortat was the face of EuroBasket 2009 when the tournament was staged in Poland.
Read NBA fan opinion or discuss your views in this basketball forum topic.
