On Wednesday, Nickeil Alexander-Walker released a statement addressing his withdrawal from Team Canada in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019.
"After discussing with my family about my involvement with team Canada this year, I have decided not to participate in the Fiba World Cup in China," Alexander-Walker wrote. "I'm excited to prepare myself for my rookie season and knowing how difficult that can be, I'd like to focus on that at this time.
"Thank you Team Canada for the invitation, I will be rooting for our country, and hoping to be involved in the future!"
Thank you God for the opportunity and best of Luck to the SMNT 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/z7ftaIggFP
— Nickeil Alexander (@TheReal_NAW1) August 7, 2019
Alexander-Walker was among the notable players missing from Team Canada's training camp announced earlier this week, joining the likes of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Trey Lyles, Tristan Thompson and Dwight Powell. Jamal Murray and RJ Barrett will also not play in the tournament due to injuries.
The No. 17 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Alexander-Walker appeared in four games with the New Orleans Pelicans in the Las Vegas Summer League. He was the tournament's third-leading scorer with 24.3 points per game, doing so 41% shooting from the field. Alexander-Walker also added 6.0 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Alexander-Walker joins a deep Pelicans team that includes Jrue Holiday, Lonzo Ball, JJ Redick, Josh Hart and E'Twaun Moore at the guard positions.