Paul George’s family, including his father Paul George Sr. and mother Paulette George, are with the Indiana Pacers star at the hospital as Paul recovers from his injury.
George was injured during the fourth quarter of the Team USA scrimmage. He’s believed to have suffered a broken leg.
ESPN Medical Analyst Dr. Michael Kaplan said: “He snapped the fibula and tibula right in the middle of the leg. He’s certainly going to need surgery. He'll be out for nine to 12 months with this.”
USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski said that George’s family is with him at the hospital and that the coaching staff were going to go there as soon as possible.
George himself tweeted from the hospital, saying: “Thanks everybody for the love and support.. I‘ll be ok and be back better than ever!!! Love y’all!! #YoungTrece.”
There was about 10 minutes that elapsed after the injury as the team’s medical staff ascertained what happened and made arrangements to take George to the hospital.
George was considered a lock to make the final 12-man roster for the World Cup of Basketball that starts later this month in Spain.
The Americans planned to reduce the 20-play pool to 14 or 15 players Saturday, but put off those plans after George’s injury.
“Everything’s on hold right and it should be,” Krzyzewski said. “It would be so inappropriate for us to talk about anything else when there’s a serious injury like this.”
George led the Pacers to the best record in the Eastern Conference before they were eliminated by Miami in the Eastern Conference finals.
“We are aware of the injury sustained by Paul George in Friday night’s Team USA game in Las Vegas and we are obviously greatly concerned,” Pacers President Larry Bird said in a statement. “At this time our thoughts and prayers are with Paul. We are still gathering details and will have an updated statement Saturday.”
The Americans have to be down to 12 players before they open the tournament on Aug. 30.
The U.S. is scheduled to take the next week off before reconvening in Chicago for its next practice on Aug. 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
