Utah Jazz: Deron Williams won't play for Team USA in Turkey

SALT LAKE CITY — Jazz point guard Deron Williams reportedly has decided against playing in the upcoming FIBA World Championships in Turkey.

Yahoo.com reported Sunday that Williams called USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo on Saturday night and declined his invitation.

The world tourney begins late next month.

Williams' decision means the United States won't have any of its 2008 gold medal-winning Olympians; according to Yahoo, they've all turned down their invites.

Williams — a first-time NBA All-Star earlier this year — was the last to decline, the website reported.

The Jazz point previously spoke with excitement about wanting to lead the U.S. team in Turkey.

But it was known he might not play because of the sprained wrist that bothered him last season, and on Saturday Williams indicated he was leaning against it due to both health issues and the increased workload he expects to face in the upcoming NBA season.

According to the Yahoo report, though, Colangelo said Williams declined due to an undisclosed family matter.

Williams remains eligible to play for Team USA at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, as do all who declined.

It remains to be seen if the Jazz will be represented in Turkey.

Starting center Mehmet Okur, a would-be member of the Turkish team, is still recovering from surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon. Backup center Kyrylo Fesenko is playing this offseason for his native Ukraine, but it isn't qualified for the world event. And reserve big man Kosta Koufos turned down a chance to perhaps play for Greece in favor of Utah's entry at the Orlando Pro Summer League.

Starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko, meanwhile, is expected to decide soon if he'll play.

The Jazz hope he doesn't because of the calf injury he sustained late last season, but his Russian national team very much wants him to take part.

e-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com