Aleksej Pokusevski reportedly to miss FIBA World Cup 2023 / News - Basketnews.com

Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined until the end of August due to a shoulder injury, the specialists in Athens informed.

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski had hoped to debut for Serbia in the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023, but unfortunately, his wish couldn't be fulfilled.

According to Zurnal.rs, the 21-year-old couldn't receive the doctor's permission to train with the ball until the end of August.

This circumstance means that he won't be able to compete for a spot among the 12 players representing Serbia in the World Cup, although he was included in the extended list.

Pokusevski has spent most of the summer rehabbing a small right humerus fracture he suffered during an off-season workout in early June.

Across the previous season, Pokusevski missed three months of action because of a tibial plateau fracture in his left leg.

In the 2022-23 campaign, Pokusevski played in 34 games, averaging 8.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.

The Thunder selected Pokusevski with the 17th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. In the 2023-24 season, Pokusevski will enter the final year of his rookie contract and earn $5 million.

Meanwhile, the Serbian NT faces multiple significant World Cup absences. In addition to Pokusevski, his new OKC teammate Vasilije Micic, NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic, and two EuroLeague stars -- Vladimir Lucic and Nikola Kalinic -- will not help the team to chase the medals.

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