AP News
(2010-05-13 18:40:28)
NBA star Tony Parker will not play for France at this year's world championships in Turkey after admitting that his San Antonio Spurs club prefer him to rest and not risk another injury.
"I know that the world championships will go on without me. The Spurs have indicated to me that they would prefer me to concentrate solely on the club," Parker said on Thursday.
"My year have been hit by injuries and they don't want that to happen during the last year of my contract."
France have been drawn with Spain, Lithuania, New Zealand, Canada and Lebanon in the first round of the world championships which take place in Turkey from August 28 to September 12.
"This is an irreversible decision," added Parker. "The Spurs officials appreciate that the French team is very important for me, but they will not accept for a second time seeing my year truncated by too many matches."
Star guard Parker recently missed 16 games with a broken right hand.
The Spurs' NBA season came to an end on Sunday when they were defeated by thw Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference play-offs.
Copyright 2010 AFP Global Edition
