As one of the Houston Rockets' free-agent additions stole the stage in FIBA World Cup competition, another member of Houston's summer spending spree was forced to miss a highly anticipated foray into international hoops.
Jock Landale, Houston's new big man and a member of the Australian national team, didn't compete in the World Cup in the Philippines after suffering a left ankle injury in the first quarter of Australia's FIBA exhibition game against South Sudan last month. He did not join Australia on its trip to Manila.
Landale expressed disappointment at not being able to take the floor for his home country this summer, but fortunately for Rockets fans, his ankle injury isn't expected to impact his availability for the 2023-24 season.