Cavaliers' Love withdraws from Team USA


Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love joined the growing list of withdrawals from USA Basketball's FIBA World Cup roster, The Athletic reported earlier this week.

Love told The Athletic he called Team USA coach Gregg Popovich to inform him that he wasn't going to play in the event that runs Aug. 31-Sept. 15 in Shanghai, China. Love is the fifth player in three days to pull out. Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal and Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris withdrew Monday and Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and San Antonio Spurs guard DeMar DeRozan pulled out Tuesday.

Others that pulled out are forward Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, guards James Harden and Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets, and guard CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers. Training camp begins Aug. 5 in Las Vegas, and the official 12-man roster is slated to be announced on Aug. 17. Team USA plays its first game on Sept. 1 against the Czech Republic.