Celtics Center Kristaps Porzingis Ruled Out of FIBA World Cup

The Latvian Men's Basketball Team will be without star player Kristaps Porzingis for their first FIBA World Cup appearance.

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

In a cruel twist of fate, when the Latvian Men's National Basketball Team makes their first appearance in the FIBA World Cup, which starts Aug. 25, they'll be without their best player, Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis.

The former All-Star is dealing with plantar fasciitis, which kept him out of the friendly games Latvia participated in this summer. The first to report of his tournament availability being in jeopardy was Rupert Fabig of the Hamburger Abendblatt.

While the Latvian Basketball Association denied that claim, several weeks of recovery and multiple MRIs solidified a joint decision made by the Latvian national team's medical staff, coaching staff, and the Celtics for the seven-foot-three center to focus exclusively on the rehab process.

Porzingis expressed the following in a statement made from his Twitter account.

"It is difficult, I feel very responsible to myself and the supporters of the Latvian national team, but a decision has been made that I will not play in the World Cup."

He added he will be on hand at the tournament to support his team.

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