Russia might play at the 2010 Basketball World Cup in Turkey without its forward Andrei Kirilenko, Sovetskii Sport daily reported.
Most of this NBA season's games Kirilenko missed due to multiple injuries and his Utah Jazz club strongly advised him against playing for the Russian national team in Turkey as it is afraid that his injuries might deteriorate further.
Kirilenko's contract with Utah Jazz expires this year and the 29-year-old Russian will probably follow the club's advice in order not to spoil relations with the management in view of a new contract.
An NBA player is permitted to compete for a national team only in case his country's basketball federation provides an American club with the necessary insurance.
The Russian Basketball Federation (RBF) confirmed earlier that it is ready to provide Utah Jazz the necessary amount for Kirilenko, who according to RBF is willing to compete for Russia at the World Cup, which kicks off in August.
Kirilenko, who is currently on vacation in France with his family, won the 2007 European Championship in Spain with his team, but did not play last year and Russia finished the 2009 Euro Cup in Poland in 7th place.
The Russian team, led by Dutch coach David Blatt, is facing a tough challenge at the World Cup this year as its Group C includes among others such tough competitors as Greece, China and Turkey.
MOSCOW, July 6 (RIA Novosti)
