Hawks restricted free agent center Gustavo Ayon said his surgically-repaired shoulder is not 100 percent and he may not be able to play for Mexico in the upcoming World Cup.
Ayon is currently at a training camp in Mexico City with the national team.
“If I’m not recovered, I’m not going to the World Cup,” Ayon said in a translated statement. “I will only hurt the team. I’m still working and if the shoulder lets me play, I will surely, but if I have questions, I will not.
“I’m fine physically, but the shoulder is not a hundred percent, so even though I can feel good while the injury is not healed completely, I will not be able to play.”
Ayon, 29, had season-ending surgery on his right shoulder in February. He said he would see doctors next Wednesday to have his shoulder re-assessed.
Ayon appeared in 29 games for the Hawks, including 14 starts, last season. He averaged 4.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 16.5 minutes. The Hawks have until June 30 to make Ayon a qualifying offer in order to be able to match an offer he signs with another team. Ayon made $1.5 million last season after he was awarded to the Hawks in a waiver claim. The Hawks’ qualifying offer to Ayon must be at least $1,875,000.
Ayon was named MVP of the FIBA Americas Tournament in September as Mexico claimed the championship. The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be played Aug. 30-Sept. 14 in Spain.
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