Los Angeles Clippers point guard Chris Paul has decided to withdraw from consideration for a spot on the Team USA roster in the 2016 Olympics, according to Sports Illustrated.
“I feel my body telling me that I could use the time,” he told SI on Monday.
Paul – in his 11th NBA season and nearing the age of 31 – is averaging 33.1 minutes per game this season, ranking 10th among point guards. The Clippers have a 44-24 record with Paul on the floor (46-27 overall), and have gone 29-14 with Paul since Blake Griffin was sidelined in late December.
Over the course of his Olympic career, Paul has earned two gold medals (2008, 2012) while averaging 8.1 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.3 steals a game.
As of now, the list of point guard finalists for the Olympics includes Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Kyrie Irving, and Mike Conley.
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