Jock Landale confirms he won't play in FIBA World Cup 2023 / News - Basketnews.com

Australian center Jock Landale withdraws from FIBA World Cup 2023 due to ankle injury: "Focus turns to supporting the Boomers how I can and preparing for this season with the Houston Rockets."

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Houston Rockets big man and Australian national team starting center Jock Landale will miss the FIBA World Cup 2023. The player announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that he had turned his focus on supporting the Boomers instead of playing for them.

Jock Landale

Position:CAge:27Height:211 cmWeight:116 kgBirth place:Melbourne, AustraliaProfileNewsStatistics

"Sitting here this morning knowing the Boomers are about to take off to Japan, and I'm absolutely kicking myself I'm not right there beside them. All the build up and preparation we go through as athletes just to have it yanked away 12 hours beforehand sucks. Good Vibes Only Always," he wrote.

"Focus turns to supporting them how I can and preparing for this season with the Houston Rockets," Landale added.

The 27-year-old suffered an ankle injury during the Boomers' 88-67 victory over South Sudan on Thursday.

According to Olgun Uluc from ESPN, Landale limped off the court after twisting his left ankle just five minutes into the game. He is scheduled for an MRI on Friday.

Brian Goorjian, the head coach of the Australian national team, said on Thursday that he didn't expect Landale to be available for the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

"I'm on the mindset right now as if we don't have him," Goorjian said of Landale, per ESPN.

Australia's remaining schedule includes a warm-up game against France on August 20, followed by another exhibition contest against Georgia in Okinawa before the World Cup kicks off.

Boomers' World Cup roster:

Jack White Patrick Mills Matisse Thybulle Chris Goulding Josh Giddey Joshua Green Joe Ingles Xavier Cooks Dante Exum Dyson Daniels Nick Kay Duop Reath Thank you for reading us! We have even more content for you.