Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will not play for France at the London Olympics because of a left ankle injury.
“I’m absolutely not ready,” Noah said in Wednesday’s edition of L’Equipe newspaper. “Not ready to run, not ready to jump. And even less to play.”
Noah added he would need more time and work to recover completely from the injury that occurred during the NBA playoffs.
“I’m not in the form of someone bidding to compete in the Olympics,” he said. “And given the problems that I have with my ankles, not going to the Olympics seemed to be the most reasonable decision.”
However, Noah was confident his teammates will fare well in London.
“The team is not just me,” Noah said. “I know there are other guys who can do a good job.”
The 12 players who will represent France in London were set to be announced Thursday.
It’s still unclear whether San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker will make the cut after a scratch to his cornea in a fight involving singer Chris Brown and members of hip-hop star Drake’s entourage in New York.
France’s first game at the Olympics is against the United States on July 29.
