ARG - Nocioni pulls out

BUENOS AIRES (FIBA Americas Championship) - Argentina forward Andres Nocioni has ruled himself out of the FIBA Americas Championship due to injury.

The 27-year-old sent a letter to the Argentinian Basketball Confederation (CABB) on Wednesday confirming his unavailability for the August 22 to September 2 tournament in Las Vegas.

In the letter published on the Federation's official website, www.cabb.com.ar, a right foot injury has not healed properly, forcing him to withdraw.

He revealed “this damn sole (plantar) fasciitis I've been carrying for some months” has not fully healed.

Nocioni went on to say the Bulls medical staff decided he should immobilize his right foot for up to seven weeks.

“I cannot explain how angry I am,” Nocioni said. “Since making my debut in the national team, I have never been absent from any nomination and I did not want to be absent now.

“So, that’s what I said to (Argentina coach Sergio) Hernandez and anyone else who asked me about this. Unfortunately, this treacherous injury was worse.”

Now Argentina will be without Manu Ginobili, Fabricio Oberto, Walter Herrmann and Nocioni.

"It is more than obvious that this problem arrives in the least convenient moment, as the entire process will forbid me to take part in the upcoming national team games."

Argentina have been drawn in Group A for the competition, which also serves as a qualifier for 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Sergio Hernandez's men are pooled alongside Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Panama and Mexico, and Nocioni remained confident they can still win the competition and qualify for the Olympics - a tournament they won in Greece in 2004 - without his services.

"Beyond the pain of being absent, I know Sergio and the players will achieve the goal and we will be defending what we achieved in Athens in a year's time," he added.

Nocioni wanted to make it clear his was not a decision he took lightly.

“I wanted to send these lines to you because I don't want to be involved in any speculation, as during this process too many words have been badly used.

“Trust me - if I haven't had this injury, I would have joined you as always, wearing the national shirt proudly.”

Only the top two sides in Las Vegas will clinch automatic places in China.

Teams that finish third, fourth and fifth will still have a chance to make it to Beijing by taking part in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying tournament a month before the Summer Games.

Matias Greco, Buenos Aires 
FIBA