Knicks’ Julius Randle joins long list to withdraw from Team USA

While Team USA remains the favorite to win the FIBA World Cup, the odds of a Knick helping defend the back-to-back titles just got slimmer.

Due to a family matter, Julius Randle withdrew from the team’s training camp roster a day before practices began Sunday in Las Vegas, USA Basketball announced.

The Knicks’ top free-agent coup joins a long list of NBA stars spurning the opportunity to sport the red, white and blue, including Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, and James Harden among others. Randle had been added to the roster in late July.

With the 24-year-old Randle out of the picture, center Mitchell Robinson is the Knicks’ best bet to make the team. Robinson, 21, was invited to join the Select Team, which consists of 14 up-and-comers who get to travel with the main roster under coach Greg Popovich.

It is rare for a member of the select team to make the final 12-man roster, but the growing number of withdraws could give the second-year Knick a chance.

Team USA did not name a replacement for Randle, whom the Knicks signed to a three-year, $61 million deal after missing out on the top-tier of free-agents. The tournament runs from Aug. 31-Sept. 15 in China, as the Americans will likely take the floor led by Donovan Mitchell and Kemba Walker.

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