MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — USA Basketball said Saturday that Kyle Kuzma of the Los Angeles Lakers has a left ankle injury that will keep him from playing in the FIBA World Cup.
Kuzma’s absence finalized the U.S. roster for the tournament, which starts Aug. 31 in China. The Americans had 13 players and needed to get down to 12 for the World Cup.
Kuzma was initially ruled out of USA Basketball’s 98-94 exhibition loss at Australia on Saturday with left ankle soreness.
Kuzma told team officials Saturday morning that the ankle was sore, and it was decided to hold him out for precautionary reasons.