(2023 Getty Images)
Denver Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray will not compete at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Canada Basketball announced on Wednesday (16 August).
Murray, 26, recently won the 2023 NBA title with the Nuggets and was expected to be a top addition to the Canadian roster heading into the tournament beginning on 25 August.
However, after consultations with his team and medical staff, it was determined he would sit out the World Cup to recover from his protracted season competing in the NBA playoffs, which wrapped up just two months ago.
“When I came into training camp, I wanted to see how my body would respond after a long and demanding season and if I would be physically able to compete at the highest level required for the World Cup,” Murray said in a statement shared by Canada Basketball.
“In consultation with medical staff and the team, it is clear that additional recovery is required, and I have made the difficult decision to not participate in the tournament."
Murray returned to the Nuggets this season after sitting out 2021-22 in recovery from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
He played 65 games of the regular season before being managed into the playoffs to ensure his knee was not unnecessarily placed under strain as the team went about its championship title run.
"It’s still a dream of mine to represent Canada at the Olympics, and I will support the team every step of the way as they pursue this goal,” the guard continued.
Murray is the second star name from the Nuggets not to compete in the World Cup with Serbia's Nikola Jokic also opting out of national duty in order to rest.
Canada, meanwhile, will still have NBA talent on board as they make their world title bid. Shai Gilgeous Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nickeil Alexander-Walker of the Minnesota Timberwolves and RJ Barrett of the New York Knicks are among the names still committed to the team.
Canada will start its World Cup in Group H where it will face Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medallists France, Lebanon and Latvia in the Group Phase in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The 2023 men's FIBA World Cup is a Paris 2024 Qualifier, with seven direct Olympic qualification berths on offer.