Newly acquired San Antonio Spurs Swingman DeMar DeRozan is likely not to be present at this year’s NBA Africa Game in the aftermath of his mammoth trade.
The nine year veteran player who will play his 10th season in the NBA with San Antonio, was recently traded from Toronto Raptors in exchange for Kawhi Leonard.
DeRozan has since withdrawn his name from the flagship exhibition game which is due to take place on August 4 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Many reports point to DeRozan’s absence as a way of disassociating himself from Raptors Manager Masai Ujiri who is a major stakeholder in the Game.
DeRozan was set to lead Team World-a group of select NBA players-against Team Africa- a group of select NBA players of African heritage.
On the contrary, news from the 2016 Olympic Champion indicates he wants to use the time to adapt to his new team.
Next month’s game will have the likes of Philadelphia Sixers Center Joel Embiid featuring in the game which climaxes the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
