Forward Bosh sidelined by foot pain

The pain in Chris Bosh's left foot was too much.

The Toronto Raptors forward, who has been battling plantar fasciitis since last season, decided not to play for USA Basketball in next week's FIBA Americas Championships at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"It's real disappointing, especially working this summer trying to help the team qualify," Bosh said Wednesday after watching the U.S. squad's first workout at Valley High School.

"But I've got to be smart about this. If I make it worse, it could keep me out for next year (USA Basketball) and maybe the NBA season. So I've got to look at the big picture."

Coach Mike Krzyzewski said losing Bosh hurts the team's depth -- the roster now stands at 14 players and must be cut to 12 for the tournament -- but doesn't change the way it will play.

"Chris did a hell of a job for us last year, and he was better this year," Krzyzewski said. "It's been a lingering thing, and hopefully it will clear up.

"It reduces numbers, but it gives some of our other big men a chance for minutes and a spot on the team."

Bosh, who led the Raptors in scoring (22.6) and rebounding (10.7) last season as a second-team all-NBA selection, had a strong showing at last month's Las Vegas minicamp.

He was the only player to register a double-double in the July 22 Blue-White scrimmage at the Thomas & Mack, with 13 points and 12 rebounds in the White squad's 105-104 loss to the Blue.

* AGASSI PREP COMPENSATED -- The Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy will not be left in a financial lurch after USA Basketball's late switch in practice venue.

The U.S. team needed a bigger facility and moved from the school on West Lake Mead Boulevard to Valley High.

The NBA and USA Basketball will reimburse the school for any expenses it incurred preparing the gym, according to Julie Pippinger, who was serving as liaison between the school and the national team.

The expenses reportedly are a couple of thousand dollars.

"It's not that much money," Pippinger said, refusing to confirm the exact amount the school had spent. "That's not even an issue."

Pippinger said the school was excited about hosting the team of NBA stars.

Agassi had planned to give a motivational speech to the players and coaches.

Pippinger wasn't sure if the meeting between Agassi and the team would take place now that it has moved to Valley.

* TV SCHEDULE -- ESPN's family of networks will televise all four of Team USA's opening-round pool play games in next week's FIBA Americas tournament starting with Wednesday's game against Venezuela.

The USA-Venezuela game will be shown live at 8 p.m. on ESPN Classic (Cable 322) and then replayed on ESPN2 (Cable 31) at 11 p.m.

The Aug. 23 game with the U.S. Virgin Islands will air on ESPN Classic at 8 p.m. and ESPN2 at 11 p.m.

The Aug. 25 game against Canada and the Aug. 26 game against Brazil will be shown live on ESPN2.

The USA-Canada game tips off at noon, and the USA-Brazil contest will begin at 6 p.m.

Fox Sports Net and NBA TV are also planning to televise the FIBA Americas Championship.

Their schedules are expected to be released today.