Australia’s Matthew Dellavedova, left, and United States’ Kemba Walker in action during their exhibition basketball game in Melbourne on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
MELBOURNE, Australia — 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. Kuzma had 12 points in the Americans’ 102-86 win over Australia on Thursday, going 4 of 5 from 3-point range.
But after the game, the team said it was determined that Kuzma’s injury would keep him from playing.
The final U.S. roster:
Guards — Joe Harris (Brooklyn), Donovan Mitchell (Utah), Marcus Smart (Boston), Kemba Walker (Boston) and Derrick White (San Antonio).
Forwards — Harrison Barnes (Sacramento), Jaylen Brown (Boston), Khris Middleton (Milwaukee), Jayson Tatum (Boston).
Centers — Brook Lopez (Milwaukee), Mason Plumlee (Denver), Myles Turner (Indiana).
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