CSKA Moscow forward Victor Khryapa has announced that he will not suit up for Russia at this summer’s Eurobasket in Slovenia, opting to rest instead.
Khryapa had hinted about taking this summer off following a long season that started last year at the Olympic Games in London. The soon to be 31-year-old then confirmed his exclusion from this summer’s event.
My body is exhausted and needs mercy,” the CSKA Μoscow forward told news agency R-Sport on Saturday, following his side’s win over Khimki in the VTB United League playoff semi-finals.
“I have not had any rest since Eurobasket 2011, I am exhausted and have decided that I will not go with Russia to Eurobasket 2013,” he added.
Khryapa has been a senior squad member since 2002 and has appeared in four Eurobaskets, one world championship and two Olympic Games tournaments.
This will come as a body blow to new Russia head coach Fotis Katsikaris who has already lost Andrei Kirilenko and might be without the currently injured Sasha Kaun. Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov has declared an intention to play this summer but only if his agents ‘are able to resolve rapidly issues in the NBA.’
