Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports that Rockets forward Shane Battier will forgo his chances to participate in the 2008 Olympics with Team USA.

With his rehabilitation from last week’s ankle surgery expected to extend well into July, Rockets forward Shane Battier said on Wednesday that he will no longer be a candidate for the United States Olympic team that will compete in Beijing beginning Aug. 8.

“I just got off the crutches today,” Battier said. “After talking to Dr. (Tom) Clanton, I won’t start running until after July 4. There is a (USA Basketball) minicamp the last weekend in June. If you can’t play in the minicamp, you probably can’t make the team, so that that probably means the decision has been made.

“It’s disappointing. At the same time, I was honored to be considered. I feel good about what USA Basketball has done. I think they’ll be a great team and win the gold medal.”

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Battier, 29, said he does not plan to play internationally in other events.

“I think I will move on,” Battier said. “It was a great experience for me. But with my family and my off-court commitment growing, they will get my undivided attention.”

Battier, known as one of the better defensive players in the league, was named to the NBA’s 2007-2008 All-Defensive Second Team this season. The seven-year veteran held averages of 9.3 points, 5.1 rebounds (his most since joining the Rockets in 2006), 2.1 assists, and 1.1 blocks per game to go with those defensive credentials.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

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