Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still rehabbing his right foot plantar fasciitis, which is why he made the decision not to play for Team Canada this summer.
SGA confirmed the heartbreaking decision in an announcement on social media, in which he also thanked Canada for their overwhelming support throughout his career.
“Thank you — I wouldn't be where I am today without the Canada Basketball community, which makes it all the more difficult to announce that I am unable to play with the Senior Men's National Team this summer. I'm continuing to rehab the injury that kept me out the second half of the NBA season,” the Thunder rising star wrote.
“The team will have my full support and I look forward to continuing to represent my country in the future.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was having a spectacular season with the Thunder before the injury last March cut his season short. While he was initially only expected to miss a few games, the severity of his situation was only highlighted when OKC decided to rule him out for the rest of the campaign.
There were some hopes he will be able to recover in time to join Team Canada in the Olympics should they qualify–the national team still has some qualifying games to play from May to June–however, that doesn't seem to be the case.
It's hard to blame SGA, though. He and the Thunder are likely being cautious given that the young guard has been out for so long.
As for Team Canada, they won't be lacking in star power despite the absence of Gilgeous-Alexander. SGA's Thunder teammate Lu Dort has been chosen to be part of the squad, while the likes of Andrew Wiggins, RJ Barrett, Dillon Brooks, Kelly Olynyk and Tristan Thompson are also confirmed to participate.
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