Okafor sprains ankle on second day of Olympic training camp
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Emeka Okafor's sprained ankle and Tim Duncan's absence from a practice put a spotlight on the U.S. Olympic team's lack of frontcourt depth.
”Yeah, I worry, but hopefully it's not anything real bad,” coach Larry Brown said. ”If it is, we've got to go to the (selection) pool.”
X-rays on Okafor's right ankle were negative, and the former Connecticut star was to be re-evaluated Wednesday. He landed awkwardly and turned his ankle during a drill about an hour after practice began during the second day of the training camp.
Duncan felt ill and had a slight fever, prompting trainers to have him skip the morning session of the team's two-a-day practices. He participated in the entire evening practice, a team spokesman said.
The absence of the two left power forwards Carlos Boozer and Amare Stoudemire as the only big men. Okafor is the U.S. team's only true center, although Duncan is expected to man that position for long stretches during the Olympics.
Even at full strength, the Americans will be at a disadvantage in terms of size and bulk against several opponents, a deficiency that should be exposed the next two weeks in exhibition games against Puerto Rico, Italy, Germany and Serbia and Montenegro.
The U.S. team has several versatile players who can play several positions, but the Americans also might have to use Lamar Odom and/or Shawn Marion at power forward.
”I don't look out there and see one guy that's not capable of being a quality rebounder in this setting,” Brown said. ”My Detroit team wasn't a huge team and we rebounded the ball. That's just a commitment you make, and hopefully we'll do that. On the offensive boards, sometimes athleticism and quickness is a real plus, so hopefully we'll do the job in that respect.”
Changes can be made to the roster until 72 hours before the start of Olympic competition.
”We don't have anybody on hold or waiting in the wings,” said Stu Jackson, chairman of the USA Basketball selection committee. ”It would be unfair to the team to even speculate on (a possible replacement for Okafor if his injury is serious).”