Okafor to play in Games, and Bobcats aren't happy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Emeka Okafor said Friday he will play for the U.S. Olympic basketball team, a decision the Charlotte Bobcats aren't exactly thrilled with.

Okafor was a finalist for the final roster spot, but he and his agent said he has accepted an invitation to play in Athens later this summer.

The Bobcats said paperwork issues have held up the official announcement, which is expected next week. Okafor was selected for the team over Brad Miller and Theo Ratliff.

"It's a great honor, especially since it kind of came out of nowhere," Okafor said. "It's almost like a chance of a lifetime, to be an Olympian at 21."

Charlotte, which traded up to the No. 2 overall pick in the NBA draft to select Okafor, doesn't share the joy.

"We are somewhat concerned because all that basketball causes a lot of wear and tear and prevents you from being fresh at the start of the season," Charlotte coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff said. "We have many concerns that we want to address."

The Bobcats want Okafor to work out with them and play in summer leagues, something commitments with the U.S. team could prevent.

The other issue is health, especially since so many players from the 2000 U.S. Olympic team were injured during the NBA season after playing in the Sydney Games. Jason Kidd, Antonio McDyess and Vince Carter were among the Olympians to get hurt later that year.

But Okafor's agent said injury wasn't one of their concerns.

"There are a lot of guys at his position, so who knows how much he'd even play," Jeff Schwartz said. "But even so, he's a young kid and he's not going to get worn out playing basketball."

Bickerstaff isn't so sure, pointing out that most rookies hit a wall during their first season when the schedule goes from about 36 college games to 82 in the NBA.

"It's good to represent your country," Bickerstaff said. "But I am looking at it from a selfish point of view. I don't want him worn down."