Stoudemire dropped from Team USA

USA basketball has announced Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudamire would not be heading to China as the team prepares for the Basketball World Championships.

Team USA will take a 14 man roster with two players yet to be cut before the World Championships in Japan get underway on August 19.

USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo said in a statement, "During the past few days of our training camp we concluded that it would be difficult for Amare to continue with the rehabilitation he needs to do while the team continues its training in Asia,"

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"He is not quite where he needs to be and he needs to continue his work here in the States to get ready for the season. He is also expecting the birth of a child, so we decided it would be best if he returned home."

Meanwhile, Suns teammate Leandro Barbosa has been signed to a five-year, $33 million contract extension that begins after the 2007-08 season.

Barbosa will be playing for Brazil at the Basketball World Championships in Japan.