Jose Alvarado will miss the 2023 World Cup for Puerto Rico / News - Basketnews.com

Alvarado's right tibia injury hasn't healed fully, and the Pelicans decided not to allow the player to compete in order to prioritize his health.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Puerto Rico announced an extended list of candidates for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, one notable name is missing.

The Puerto Rico Basketball Federation (FPBR) released a 14-man list of players that will compete for a spot in the final twelve that will play in the World Cup. The New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado is not among the 14 players called up.

The player suffered a stress reaction in his right tibia that prematurely ended his season in March. Alvarado is still recovering from the injury. As such, the Pelicans did not allow the player to participate neither in training camp nor in the tournament itself.

"The tibia injury in his right leg delayed his recovery process this summer. His team performed an MRI last week and they saw that his injury has not fully healed," the team's general manager Carlos Arroyo explained.

In 61 games with the Pelicans last year, Alvarado averaged 9 points, 2.3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He helped Puerto Rico clinch participation in the World Cup averaging 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists for 20.5 PIR in the Qualifiers.

In preparation for the World Cup, Puerto Rico will play matches in Italy and Serbia as guests. Then, the team will travel to Taiwan where the squad will face off against Lithuania and Latvia in two friendly contests.

Puerto Rico's 14-man extended list:

Tremont Waters Jordan Howard Ethan Thompson John Holland Stephen Thompson Phillip Wheeler Aleem Ford Isaiah Piñeiro Justin Reyes Christopher Ortiz Ismael Romero George Conditt IV Timajh Parker-Rivera Arnaldo Toro Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.