SYDNEY (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Australia have lost NBA champion Pat Mills for the FIBA Basketball World Cup because of a rotator cuff injury.

The explosive scoring guard, a linchpin in the national team since the 2008 Olympics, was instrumental for the San Antonio Spurs in their resounding NBA Finals triumph over the Miami Heat last month.

Mills' shoulder bothered him during the Finals but he fought through the pain barrier.

Scans taken a couple of days after the post-season ended indicated the severity of the injury and have forced him to pull out of the Boomers squad.

He is to be operated on Friday and is expected to be out of action for seven months.

Australia coach Andrej Lemanis is nevertheless in confident mood ahead of the preparations for the World Cup.

"This is a reality in sport and every team/player has their challenges to overcome," he said in a statement by Basketball Australia.

"In terms of preparation, it is better to know this now than have a player go down two games into the World Cup.

"To succeed at anything you need to have resilience, belief and an ability to overcome adversity.

"The spirit and mateship of the Boomers environment will continue to serve us well."

Lemanis revealed that Mills has already been in touch with his fellow Boomers.

"Patty sent a wonderful message to a group of his Aussie teammates yesterday, explaining just what it means for him to represent his country," the coach said.

"He intends to still contribute to the group in whatever way he can find to help us achieve our result in Spain - it speaks to the person he is - always wanting what is best for his team."

The need for surgery is a huge blow for Mills, who was eager to start training with his teammates.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald this week: "You think nothing can deflate you (after winning a championship).

"I had to find a way to process the injury news and what's going to happen. It's not until now that it's sinking in.

"It's going to be a brutal recovery process. I'll go straight into surgery, but I'm told the next four to six weeks I won't be able to do anything, and it will be brutal."

Lemanis has nothing but the highest respect for Mills.

"Right now, my heart goes out to Patty," the coach said.

"I know just how much it means to him to play for Australia and how much he was looking forward to this campaign on the back of his tremendous NBA season.

"As a staff and team we are first and foremost disappointed for him. Once the operation is completed, we will offer him full support in terms of his recovery and help however we can.

"We look forward to having him back on court with us for next year’s campaign."

The Australians will nevertheless have a very talented roster that should challenge for Group D supremacy.

Lithuania, Slovenia, Mexico, Korea and Angola are also playing in the pool, with the games in Gran Canaria.

Mills, meanwhile, has reportedly reached an agreement on a new three-year contract with the Spurs.

FIBA