Detroit Pistons power forward Thon Maker has withdrawn from the Australian Boomers basketball team in the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
FOX Sports Australia's Olgun Uluc confirmed the news on May 23.
Thon Maker has withdrawn from the Australian Boomers' selection process for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, with the Detroit Pistons preferring he focus on his development during the offseason, multiple sources told FOXSPORTS.com.au.
The Sudanese-Australian big man, who made his Boomers debut in June 2018, would more than likely have been a lock for the upcoming World Cup, but instead will become the third Australian NBA player not to participate.
Dante Exum has already been ruled out with a partially-torn patellar tendon, while Ryan Broekhoff chose to miss the tournament to make sure he's around for the birth of his first child.
Thon Maker has withdrawn from the Australian Boomers’ selection process for the 2019 FIBA World Cup, according to multiple sources. The Detroit Pistons preferred that he focus on his development this off-season. BA showed full support for his decision. https://t.co/zcm3yBsYxq
— Olgun Uluc (@OlgunUluc) May 22, 2019
As a result of Maker's withdrawal from the Boomers, they didn't include him in the 17-man training camp squad for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China. The selection comes exactly 100 days before festivities kick off on August 31, per Uluc.
2018 NBA Rookie of the Year Ben Simmons headlines Australia's training camp squad. The eight other NBA players on the roster are Joe Ingles, Patty Mills, Matthew Dellavedova, Aron Baynes, Jonah Bolden, Andrew Bogut, Deng Adel, and Mitch Creek, per FOX SPORTS Australia.
The Boomers will whittle the field down to its final 12-man roster at the conclusion of August training camp, per Uluc.
#BREAKING: The #Boomers have announced their @FIBA World Cup squad. Thon Maker has pulled out of the squad due to #NBA commitments. @NBL @NBA pic.twitter.com/J4PUUoyMKN
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) May 23, 2019
Australia is in Group H of the 2019 FIBA World Cup. The group also features Canada, Lithuania, and Senegal.
Even if Thon Maker withdrew from the Australian Boomers, they are still one of the favorites to win the tournament in August.
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