Ian Mahinmi to miss FIBA World Cup after injuring shoulder

Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi suffered a shoulder injury that will cause him to miss the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain Aug. 30 to Sept. 14.

Mahinmi was honored to play for his country.

The injury occurred Thursday during a morning practice in Vitória, a city in Brazil.

“Yes, [the news is true],” Mahinmi wrote to VigilantSports.com early Friday. “I will be back in Indy sometime this week for (further) exam on my shoulder…”

Mahinmi felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder and then had an MRI later that afternoon, which revealed the injury was severe enough to keep him out of the FIBA World Cup, according to the French Federation of Basketball.

Team France’s doctor said Mahinmi’s dislocated shoulder could sideline him for two to three months. If accurate, that would keep him out of the NBA preseason. The Pacers open training camp in 30 days.

Mahinmi tweeted the following late Thursday afternoon: “Si près du début de la compétition, cest vraiment dur… Je suis de tout coeur avc mes potes, j’espère qu’ils iront loin.”

Rough translation: “So close to the start of the competition, this is really hard … I wholeheartedly miss my friends , I hope they will go far.”

Pacers President Larry Bird, who won a gold medal with the 1992 Olympic Team, supports his players’ desire to play for their country but he also understands the negatives that can come out of it — injuries, and wear and tear.

“Personally, I think it’s good for these young men,” he said earlier this month. “They’re a brand now and they get an opportunity to showcase their talents all over their world. I think it’s a great opportunity to play for your country. I think anytime you’re called upon, and you have an opportunity to do that, you should do it.

Ian Mahinmi wore a black undershirt during the 2014 postseason.

Mahinmi suffered a mild shoulder injury against Oklahoma City on April 13th, the second-to-last regular season game last season. After that, he wore a dry-fit black undershirt. Also, during the 2012-13 season, he suffered a right shoulder contusion.

Simply put, shoulder issues aren’t new to the 6-foot-11 center.

With Mahinmi going down, Team France brought in Kim Tillie to take his spot.

And then there were two…

The Pacers were set to have four players compete in the FIBA World Cup. Paul George (USA), Luis Scola (Argentina), Ian Mahinmi (France), and newcomer Damjan Rudež (Croatia). However, after George’s tragic right-leg injury and now Mahinmi, Scola and Rudež will be their lone representatives.

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