Amare Stoudamire is OUT

In my earlier post, I mentioned few players that may be out of the final USA 12. See excerpt below:

Who will be the three players that will be cut for the Japan Games? My gut feel is that, Bowen will initially take the defensive mantra over Shane Batier. This will be a learning curve for Shane. By the next tour, Batier will take the defensive guy slot. If Amare is not 85% to 90%, he'll probably have to sit it out too. Hinrich too is nursing hamstring injury, he might be cut. Antoine Jamison is candidate too. 3 out of these 4, will have to watch at side court.

Well, one guy down, Amare Stoudamire was dropped from the US Team. Citing, not surprisingly, that he still recuperating and will continue his rehab in the USA.

Jerry Colangelo, the US team manager also mentioned that Amare Stoudamire is expecting a child and this too a reason why he won't be joining the Asia trip. Incidentally, Jerry along with his son, Brian Colangelo drafted Amare Stoudamire.

Likely, Stoudamire will be playing for the US team in 2007 and 2008, the Olympics.

The team will be flying shortly here in Asia to compete for the World Championships to be held in Japan. The remaining 14 players will join the trip.

I expect 2 guys out of Hinrich, Jamison and Batier will be cut as well.