Phoenix Suns’ power forward Bol Bol, who recently signed a new contract, was expected to represent South Sudan in the upcoming Olympics in Paris but has opted out of the games citing personal reasons. The specific details behind his decision have not been disclosed, as reported by Leonard Solms of ESPN.
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Bol, the son of former NBA player Manute Bol, could have been a key player for Team South Sudan in their game against Team USA during an exhibition match. Despite a strong lead, they lost 101-100, with Anthony Davis effectively defending in the final moments.
Although Bol was on the preliminary roster for South Sudan, assistant Ajou Deng confirmed that Bol will not be participating in the Olympic competition.
Drafted as the 44th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, Bol has played for the Denver Nuggets, Orlando Magic, and currently the Suns.
During his first season with the Suns, Bol showcased his unique skills in playmaking and rebounding. In 43 games, he averaged 5.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game in just under 11 minutes per game.
The 7-foot-3 center, aged 24, signed a one-year contract extension with the Suns this summer, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The team has the flexibility to offer Bol up to 120 percent of his minimum deal for the 2023-24 season under his Non-Bird Rights.
With key departures like Eric Gordon and Drew Eubanks, the Suns have been focused on strengthening their roster around the core players like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic, and Grayson Allen. Bol’s return is part of the strategic moves by team president James Jones to enhance the team’s depth.
Additionally, the Suns retained free agents Josh Okogie, Damion Lee, and Royce O’Neale, with Lee signing a minimum deal post-injury recovery. They also brought in new talent like point guard Monte Morris, center Mason Plumlee, and rookies through the NBA Draft.
Further details: Free Agent Agrees to Multi-Year Deal with Phoenix