Italian International Small Forward/Shooting Guard of Ghanaian descent Awudu Abass won’t compete in the Tokyo Olympics that commences on July 24.
The 28 year old 6 foot 6 inch player was dropped from the Italian National Men’s Basketball Team to compete at the Olympics earlier this week. His spot was filled up by Atlanta Hawks Forward Danilo Gallinari.
Despite helping Italy beat Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Serbia to book one of four final tickets to the Olympics, Abass was dropped and Italy Head Coach Meo Sacchetti addressed the Virtus Bologna player’s omission to Correire Dello Sport.
“(Giampaolo) Ricci was already safe inside (the roster),” Sacchetti said to Corriere dello Sport. “I never thought I could leave him at home. Abass? I made some choices” he said.
Qualifying to the Olympics is Italy’s first appearance at the Games since 2004; Abass competed for Italy at the 2019 Basketball World Cup held in China.
In his first season at Bologna, Abass won the Italian League title; it is his second league title in his professional career.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
