HEADLINE

Sixers F Harris latest to withdraw from Team USA roster

Field Level Media

July 22, 2019 at 10:19 pm.

Philadelphia 76ers forward Tobias Harris became the latest player to withdraw from the Team USA roster for the upcoming World Cup in China.

Harris is the sixth player to pull out, and he said he wanted to focus on preparing for the 2019-20 season, according to published reports on Monday. Harris signed a five-year, $180 million deal with the 76ers earlier this month.

Washington shooting guard Bradley Beal pulled out earlier Monday, citing the upcoming birth of a son.

Previously pulling out were Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers, James Harden and Eric Gordon of the Houston Rockets and CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Two others currently listed on the roster — Portland’s Damian Lillard and Cleveland’s Kevin Love — have yet to indicate whether or not they plan to play.

The latest withdrawals leaves Team USA with 14 players, but managing director Jerry Colangelo said he isn’t overly concerned.

“History would indicate this is nothing new, this is part of our process,” Colangelo told reporters. “We’re blessed with a lot of talents, and we’re very deep. We’ll take the cards that we are dealt.”

Training camp begins Aug. 5 in Las Vegas, and the official 12-man roster is slated to be announced on Aug. 17. The competition runs from Aug. 31-Sept. 15, with Team USA playing its first game on Sept. 1 against the Czech Republic.