Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford won’t play for Dominican Republic

Al Horford announced Tuesday that he will not play for the Dominican Republic in the upcoming FIBA Americas tournament. The Hawks center never committed to the team, which will be coached by Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson, and indicated following the season that it was unlikely he would play.

In an announcement posted on Twitter in Spanish, Horford said: “Given the concerns about my participation in the FIBA Americas Championship, I inform you that I have decided not to participate in the tournament in an effort to better concentrate on improving my game and better focus on my full recovery after this long last season. It is an honor to play with the Dominican team and it’s something I’ve always done with great pride but his decision is the best for me right now. I appreciate the support of my fans and send best wishes for the team.”