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Knicks’ RJ Barrett won’t play for Canada in FIBA World Cup

RJ Barrett won’t take the court until the preseason.

The Knicks’ highly touted draft pick pulled out of the FIBA World Cup, where he was set to play for the Canadian national team, because of the mild calf strain he sustained during Summer League, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Barrett’s Summer League performance drew some criticism, as he struggled with turnovers and shooting the ball. Perhaps an injury explains some of that, though the language of the report makes it seem minor at worst.

In any case, it’s no surprise that he’s exercising caution.