FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019: 5 Team USA players who have withdrawn from the tournament

The FIBA World Cup is one of basketball's most exciting events. It is a tournament that features the best players in the world. Players from all over the globe play for their country's team in hopes of winning the gold medal. It is a highly competitive, exciting event that basketball fans from all over the world can enjoy.

The World Cup began in 1950. The first event took place in Argentina and featured ten teams. Argentina won the gold medal as they beat the United States.

Since then, the event is held typically held every four years and has grown to 32 teams. The last World Cup took place in Spain. This year, the World Cup is in China.

The World Cup begins on August 31 and ends on September 15. The 32 teams will battle each other until two teams remain. Those teams become the gold and silver medalists. In the 2014 World Cup, Team USA beat Serbia to win the gold medal. Serbia won the silver medal as they lost the game by 37 points. This blowout gave Team USA their fifth tournament win since the event's inception. They first won in 1954, then later won in 1986, 1994, 2010, and 2014.

Throughout the years, Team USA has had several talented teams. While this year's team is no exception, they are missing several players as they approach the start of training camp. In the past few weeks, players have withdrawn from Team USA for different reasons. Now, Team USA's roster is a bit different and makes their journey more difficult.

While they have enough talent to win, other nations have incredible teams that can potentially compete with USA. So, USA has their hands full. Here are five marquee players that have withdrawn from Team USA's World Cup team.

#5 Kevin Love

On Wednesday, 24 July, Kevin Love announced his decision to withdraw from Team USA's World Cup team. Shams Charania and Joe Vardon were the first to break the news. Love is one of many players to withdraw, and he is the latest to do so. He could have played a big role with the team but decided to sit the World Cup out.

Last season, Love played 22 games. He battled a left foot injury as the Cavs struggled through the season. Love returned in February and managed to boost his season averages 17 points and 10.9 rebounds. For a player like Love, withdrawing from the team makes sense.

Love is coming off his injury and is a player who typically deals with injuries throughout the season. He should use this time to rest and prepare for the upcoming season, as he'll likely be the first (scoring) option for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have a young group of players such as Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman, and Darius Garland, but they still need a veteran for leadership and offense. Love is that veteran.

Kevin Love has a busy season ahead of him and should use this time as a way to prepare for the same.

#4 Anthony Davis

The Lakers' newest star will not be participating in the World Cup. According to reports, Anthony Davis has withdrawn from Team USA. His agent Rich Paul (of Klutch Sports) confirmed his decision.

Davis has had an exciting offseason as he joined a new team. On June 15, the Lakers and Pelicans agreed to a deal that sent Davis to the Lakers. The Pelicans received Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, and three first-round draft picks. One of those picks was the No. 4 pick of the 2019 draft. In return, the Lakers received Davis, who wanted to join them before last season's trade deadline. The teams agreed to a deal in June, but it did not become official until July 6. Now, Davis has his wish and will join LeBron James in LA.

Davis decided to withdraw from Team USA due to his desire to use the offseason as a chance to prepare for the season. He wants to use this time to get ready for a potential championship run as the Lakers are a favorite to win.

So, Davis will use this time to focus on that.

The 6-foot-10 forward/center played for Team USA during the 2012 Summer Olympics and the 2014 World Cup. He averaged 3.7 points in the Olympics and played a total of seven games. He had a small role as he was entering the league and did not start any game. Davis was the first pick of the 2012 draft and was on a team of veterans. So, his limited role made sense.

Then, he averaged 12.3 points and 6.6 rebounds during the World Cup. He played in nine games and started in each of them. If Davis remained with Team USA, he'd likely have a significant role.

Davis is a skilled forward, who would have contributed to Team USA in numerous ways. But, his decision to withdraw makes sense as all eyes are on the Lakers next season.

#3 Bradley Beal

Beal will have a new addition to his family as the USA plays in the World Cup

While Team USA could use someone like Bradley Beal, they'll have to play without him.

According to Chris Hayes of Yahoo Sports, Beal withdrew from Team USA. His reason for withdrawing is the slated birth of his child in late August/early September. The World Cup starts around that time and would interfere with his availability. So, Beal is putting family first.

Beal has not played for Team USA as an NBA player but was a part of Team USA's under 16 and 17 teams. He won a gold medal with Team USA's under-16 team in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship and their FIBA World U17 Championship team. He averaged 19 points and 18.3 points respectively.

Last season, Beal averaged 25.6 points, 5.5 assists, and five rebounds. He played all 82 games of the season. This is his second straight season playing 82 games. Beal would play well with Team USA, but he needs to rest.

Beal played well for the Wizards last season, but his future with the team is in jeopardy. The Wizards have a chance to offer him a three-year, $111 million extension to remain with the team. The Wizards want to offer the extension as soon as possible. Beal has until October to make his decision. He can stay with the Wizards, be it with a smaller extension. Or, he can prepare for his exit.

If Beal signs a shorter extension, he can sign a one-year $34.5 million contract or a two-year deal worth nearly $72 million. So, Beal has an important decision to make. If he decides to decline, the Wizards could find a way to trade him to a team such as the Miami Heat. It all depends on what he does.

With the birth of his child and his upcoming negotiations with the Wizards, it makes sense why Beal withdrew from Team USA. But, the team would have benefited from his presence.

#2 Damian Lillard

Lillard and McCollum have both turned down participating in the World Cup

Damian Lillard had a busy season this year, as the Portland Trail Blazers fought through the playoffs.

Lillard led the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals after beating the OKC Thunder and Denver Nuggets in the first two rounds. The Blazers beat the Thunder in a five-game series, where Lillard made one of the best clutch shots in recent history. He hit a 37-foot buzzer beater over Paul George to beat the Thunder 118-115, and ultimately knock them out of the playoffs. Then, Lillard and the Blazers beat the Nuggets in a seven-game series.

The Blazers reached the Western Conference Finals, where they faced the Golden State Warriors. Portland's playoffs run came to an end as the Warriors swept the Blazers and went on to face the Raptors in the Finals.

Lillard led his team on an incredible (and possibly unexpected) run that put the league on notice. With that being said, it is no surprise that Lillard withdrew from Team USA.

When Lillard was in consideration for Team USA, some of the media anticipated his role with the team. Dan Devine wrote an article on the Ringer that discussed Lillard being Team USA's "Captain America" as other players were withdrawing for the team. The writer envisioned Lillard as the leader for the team as they prepare for the World Cup. However, Lillard, like his Blazers teammate CJ McCollum, withdrew from Team USA.

While both players would have helped USA, they can use this time to prepare for next season. The Blazers had a taste of success as they reached the Conference Finals and they'll likely want to do the same next season. The Western Conference is tougher, but the Blazers desire for success motivates them to get better. So, Lillard can use this time to work on his game and help the Blazers reach their goal.

#1 James Harden

Harden played for Team USA twice in recent years

James Harden is another player that will not play in the FIBA World Cup.

Earlier this summer, Harden informed Team USA's head coach Gregg Popovich that he would not be participating in the Team USA festivities. He told Popovich he is missing both the training camp and World Cup later this summer.

Harden made his decision due to wanting to prepare/focus on the Rockets' upcoming season. The Rockets will look different this year, as they acquired his former OKC Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook. So, Harden and the Rockets must prepare for the new backcourt partnership, as they strive towards another championship run.

Throughout the years, Harden played for Team USA twice. He played for USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics, then again at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Harden and Team USA won gold medals at both events.

In the 2012 Olympics, Harden averaged 5.5 points. His role was not as significant as this team featured players such as Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant. Durant led the team in scoring with 19.5 points and averaged 5.8 rebounds. Anthony averaged 16.3 points and 4.8 rebounds. James and Bryant also scored in double figures with 13.3 and 12.1 points respectively. Kevin Love also scored in double figures with 11.6 points. Besides that, none of the other players (including Harden) scored in double figures.

Harden's role increased in the 2014 World Cup, as he scored 14.2 points and 3.2 assists. He helped the team as they won the gold medal in Spain. Team USA beat Serbia 129-92 to win gold. Harden had 23 points in that game.

James Harden is a skilled player who can score at will. Team USA would benefit from his expertise, but he wants to focus on the season. It may be his best move.

Edited by Raunak J