From Deseret News archives:
Boozer skipping USA minicamp
When USA Basketball released its list of participants for this weekend's minicamp in Las Vegas, Boozer — a member of the United States' 2004 Olympic Team — was among those deemed to be a no-go.
"Because my wife is in the final stages of her pregnancy, I've decided to be here for her and our family," Boozer, Utah's leading scorer last season, said in a statement released by the team. "I'm excited for the team, and especially for Deron, but I have to take care of home."
Boozer, who lives in Miami during the offseason, and his wife, CeCe, are expecting twins.
Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor confirmed that Boozer's decision is purely personal and not at all injury-related.
"I think it's just a timing issue," O'Connor said.
That leaves Williams, the Jazz's starting point guard, as Utah's lone representative at the minicamp and only player vying for one of 12 spots in next month's FIBA America's Championship tournament in Las Vegas.
The FIBA tourney is a qualifier for the 2008 Summer Games in China.
Both Boozer and Williams hope to be members of USA's team at the 2008 Olympics, but neither is guaranteed a spot on the roster.
E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com
