While it is still unknown whether or not San Antonio Spurs Manu Ginobili will rejoin the Argentina national team for the 2016 Olympics, he has made one thing clear.
According to La Nacion (via translation of ABC.es), Ginobili will not be playing with Argentina in next summer's FIBA America's Tournament, the first of a few Olympic qualifiers.
Surely I will not play in next year's qualifier. Missing much, I do not know how I will be. But later we will see," said the player of the San Antonio Spurs in his column published by the newspaper "La Nacion", in Buenos Aires.
Those who are undecided will know when the time comes. Pending arrive and do not know how I will be, I cannot say … It's two years to the next engagement, it is impossible to decide now," said "Manu", 35, in relation to the 2014 World Cup in Spain.
After getting all the way to the bronze medal game, this must be music to the ears of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich.
While he has a taken a summer off from international play in the past, he's added some extra miles onto his body and has likely taken some time off of his NBA career due to international play.
While Ginobili is near the end of his prime and can still put up big numbers, it's important to have him fresh and ready for a long NBA season. After a shortened 66-game season last season due to the lockout, this 82-game season will be grueling.
Ginobili still hasn't ruled himself out of the World Cup, so that could be the last time we see him in his navy, white and powder blue uniform.
