June 11, 2016
Countdown to Manila OQT: 24 days
Minnesota Timberwolves wing man Andrew Wiggins will skip the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, Philippines next month.
In a statement released Friday, Wiggins said he will be focusing on his immediate future with the Wolves instead of suiting up for the Canadian national basketball team this summer.
Correcting typo of earlier tweet with Wiggins statement released through agent Bill Duffy Associates pic.twitter.com/Lxt6CSvSr9
— Jerry Zgoda (@JerryZgoda) June 10, 2016
“After much thought, consideration and speaking with my family, I will not be participating in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament with the Canadian Men’s National Team in July. As my third NBA season approaches, I understand my increased role with the Timberwolves and dedication to the upcoming season must have my total focus. We are building a championship contending team, which has always been my goal. This was definitely not an easy decision and I fully support and wish Team Canada nothing but success this summer,” Wiggins said.
The first overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft and the 2015 NBA Rookie of the Year, Wiggins averaged 20.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 2 APG in the 2015-16 NBA season.
Another Timberwolves member, Gorgui Dieng, will not be part of Senegal’s squad for the Manila OQT, as reported by FIBA.
Dieng averaged 10.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG in the 2015-16 NBA season, appearing in all 82 games.
Canada and Senegal are both in Group A of the Manila OQT with Turkey. The Philippines, France, and New Zealand are in Group B.
