Ailing Oden to miss Team USA camp
Greg Oden's stay in Las Vegas was cut short this week, and he won't be coming back next week, either.
A day after the Portland rookie center ended his stint in the NBA Summer League to have his tonsils removed, USA Basketball and the Trail Blazers on Tuesday said Oden will not attend the Team USA training camp next week at Cox Pavilion.
Oden, the NBA's No. 1 overall draft pick, will be out for two to three weeks after undergoing a tonsillectomy Saturday in Vancouver, Wash.
"Greg felt this was the right decision to make in the interests of his health, and we support that decision 100 percent," Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said in a released statement. "The sooner he gets this procedure done, the sooner he can get back on the court at full strength."
Team USA managing director Jerry Colangelo said: "This is very unfortunate, and we wish Greg a speedy and full recovery. Provided he is fully recovered, we have invited Greg to participate in the USA senior national team's training camp that starts August 13."
If Oden makes it to that camp, he could have a chance to land a spot on the final roster when Team USA tips off play in the FIBA Americas Championships on Aug. 22 at the Thomas & Mack Center.
• END OF THE LINE -- Philadelphia, San Antonio and the Chinese national team will end their five-game stints in Las Vegas today. The Spurs (2-2) will face Minnesota, and the 76ers (2-2) take on Phoenix. Team China (1-3) plays Boston.
• SHARK SIGHTING -- Former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian made his first appearance at the summer league, sitting with Sacramento co-owner Joe Maloof when the Kings played Washington in the first game of the day at Cox Pavilion.
Tarkanian put in a good word with Maloof and his brother Gavin on behalf of former Rebel Reggie Theus, who was recently hired as Kings coach.
