MILWAUKEE, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Veteran All-Star guard Ray Allen of the Milwaukee Bucks may take a pass on the upcoming World Championship Games because of lingering knee soreness.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the 6-5, 205-pound former University of Connecticut All-American wants to use the balance of the summer for rest and recuperation. He has been tabbed as a member of Team USA, which begins practice in San Francisco on Aug. 16.
The paper also reported that, in the wake of not having Allen, executives of USA Basketball are now scrambling to find a replacement. The team already has added Baron Davis of New Orleans for New Jersey's Jason Kidd, who also has health issues.
USA officials remain hopeful.
"I don't have anything official here, but the reports I have are that his rehabilitation is going as expected," USA Basketball spokesman Craig Miller told the paper.
Team chairman Stu Jackson, who is also Vice President of the NBA, indicates that Allen, who missed 13 games last season because of left knee soreness, has yet to withdraw.
"Up until now we are under the impression that Ray is in fact going to be a part of the team," Jackson said. "Certainly, we understand that he is undergoing some rehabilitation with his knee and that the possibility has always existed that he may not be able to make it to the post, so to speak. But right now, we're under the impression that he is still a member of the team."
Allen, a three-time NBA All-Star and one of the league's best outside shooters, has spent the entire offseason in rehab trying to strengthen the knee, and there have been no reports that there have been problems. The knee problems forced him to miss games last season for the first time in his pro career.
In his career, Allen has appeared in 447 NBA games, averaging 19.4 points and 3.8 assists. Last season, despite the missed contests, he averaged 21.8 points and 3.9 assists in 69 games.
The World Games will be played in late August and early September in Indianapolis and the 12-man roster must be set by Aug. 28.
