AUS – Boomers lose Bogut but remain formidable

MELBOURE (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Australia will be without Andrew Bogut at the FIBA World Championship this summer because of injury.

Bogut, who was already questionable with back problems, suffered finger, elbow and arm injuries in a heavy fall last month while playing for Milwaukee against Phoenix late in the NBA regular season.

The injuries knocked him out of the play-offs.

The seven-footer, who was voted to the All-NBA third team, had been keen on representing his country but doesn't believe he'll recover in time from his injuries.

“This has been a tough decision, but given the nature of the injury I sustained a few weeks back, I knew at that point that playing at the World Championships in 2010 would be doubtful,” Bogut said.

“I am certainly keen to contribute in any way possible to the team’s preparations and look forward to working with Brett (Brown) and the team as we prepare for 2012 London Olympics.”

If Australia have a strength, it is their frontcourt.

Bogut's absence has heightened the importance of Partizan Belgrade center Aleks Maric to the Boomers.

The 25-year-old Maric was over the weekend named in the All-Euroleague First Team after leading his side into the Final Four.

It was a dramatic turnaround for a player that had received little court time last season at ACB outfit CB Granada.

Australia will also have Houston Rockets big man David Andersen and Power Electronics Valencia star Matt Nielsen - the MVP of his club's Eurocup-title winning triumph last month.

"Australia is fortunate to have a core group of internationally experienced interior players like Matt Nielsen, David Andersen and Aleks Maric who will be complimented by some talented young players," Brown said.

"Together we will find a way to maximize our team’s strengths and go into our preparation with high expectations."

Australia will take on Argentina, Serbia, Germany, Angola and Jordan in Group A at the FIBA World Championship.

Those Preliminary Round games will be played in Kayseri.

FIBA