MEXICO (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - Mexico's best player, Gustavo Ayon, has announced he will not play at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) in Turin.

Ayon, the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship MVP and All-Star Five Selection at the same event last year when Mexico hosted the tournament and finished fourth, has revealed his decision three days before the start of the OQT.

Real Madrid's Copa del Rey MVP released a statement on Friday, citing "personal and professional" reasons for not playing.

He said: "I've taken the decision not to form part of the Mexican national basketball team that will take part in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament of 2016. The only reasons that stop me from joining the 12 Guerreros (12 Warriors) are personal and professional ones. I want to make it very clear there are no external reasons."

Ayon tweeted a photo of himself holding his son after making his announcement.

"I know that my teammates, who I have already informed of my decision, are totally capable of fighting until the last minute to achieve a place at the Olympic Games so I ask of you (the fans, the press and Mexican sporting authorities) to support them in Turin just as you have always done," Ayon said in his statement. "The national team is not one person, but a group."

Mexico were not the favorites to win the OQT even with Ayon but his absence will be felt. He was their top player at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, where Mexico reached the Round of 16 before falling to eventual champions USA.

Mexico reached the Centrobasket Final last week in Panama without Ayon but lost to Puerto Rico in the final seconds.

At the OQT, Mexico will face Greece and Iran in Group A and if they finish in the top two, El Tri will advance to a Semi-Final to take Italy, Croatia or Tunisia out of Group B. The Semi-Final winners will meet with the winner of that game claiming the Olympic berth.

Ayon added in his statement: "I want to thank all of the people that have supported me since the first time I was called up to represent my country, something I've done with a lot of pride and I hope that on this occasion that I can't do so, they will understand. I wish success to the 12 Guerreros and I thank those of you that have taken the time to read this."

FIBA