Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah will miss this month’s Olympic Games in London due to an ankle injury.
Noah picked up the injury in a Playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers in May and was hoping to recover in time for London. But the injury has unfortunately not healed in time
“I am absolutely not ready. Not ready to run, not ready to jump. I’m not fit enough to play in the Olympic Games,” Noah told French sports daily L’Equipe.
It’s a body blow for Noah, who was close to averaging a double-double last season in the NBA at 10.2 points and 9.8 rebounds a game.
For France, it’s another blow as they sweat over the fitness of San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker.
The former NBA Finals MVP was caught up in an incident at a nightclub in New York last month which involved recording artists Chris Brown and Drake.
A fight broke out with glass bottles being thrown and smashed, bits of glass caught Parker in the left eye. Sources say he’s 50/50 to play in London.
Les Bleues open their Olympic campaign against gold medal favourites USA on the 29th July.
