Chris Bosh plantar fasciitis in left foot, will miss summer Team USA play
Aug 16th, 2007 by Inside Hoops
USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team’s 6-10 forward Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors) will miss the team’s current training camp and the FIBA Americas Championship because of plantar fasciitis in his left foot.
Bosh’s withdraw leaves the USA Senior National Team roster numbering 15. The national team is currently training through Aug. 21 in Las Vegas, Nev., then a 12-member U.S. team will compete in the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 that is being held Aug. 22-Sept. 2 also in as Vegas.
“It’s disappointing because Chris did a great job for us last year and he’s only gotten better – he’s an all-star. But the health of a player is the most important thing,” said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Bosh was a member of last summer’s 2006 USA World Championship Team that finished 8-1 and won the bronze medal, and averaged 6.8 ppg. and 4.0 rpg. In the USA team’s Blue-White game on July 22 in Las Vegas, Bosh recorded 13 points and 12 rebounds for the USA White Team.
“This is real tough for me but I have to be safe, that’s what the doctors told me. They said it could evolve into something worse than what it is now. It’s real tough and disappointing right now and I have to stay calm. I still feel like I’m a part of the team and I’m here to show my support and show that I’m serious about being a part of the team,” said Bosh who is in Las Vegas with the team.
Bosh remains optimistic about returning to play for the USA in 2008 if the USA qualifies for the 2008 Olympic Games. “I didn’t want to play this summer and maybe get more injured and then not be able to play next summer. I had to be smart about this. I’m looking forward to the (2007-08) NBA season and 2008 (Olympics).”
Members of the USA Basketball Men’s Senior National Team currently training in Las Vegas include Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Nick Collison (Seattle SuperSonics); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets); Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets); Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies); Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz).