Team USA 'Shocked' To Learn Rajon Rondo Not On Final Roster

Were you shocked when Rajon Rondo was left off the Team USA roster for the FIBA World Championship? You weren't the only one. According to Yahoo! Sports' Marc Spears, those who did make the final 12-man roster were "shocked by Rondo cut."

The unnamed source cited by Spears added that "Rondo's team won most scrimmages and he got along with teammates."

Apparently, the other players found out through the media -- USA Basketball officials never told the team directly.

This of course will only add to the speculation surrounding Rondo's absence later this month at the World Championship. While the official word is that he withdrew for "family matters," initial reports were that the Celtics point guard was cut after struggling against Lithuania (four turnovers in just 14 minutes) and then not playing at all against Spain on Sunday. It wouldn't be the first time Team USA stretched the truth to help a player save face: in 2006, Team USA said Gilbert Arenas had a "sore groin," when in reality they had cut him.

Rajon Rondo Left Off USA Roster After Withdrawing From Team

Rajon Rondo wasn't feeling comfortable about his status on Team USA, saying, "I think I'm on the bubble," and apparently it was for good reason: the 12-man roster was announced Tuesday afternoon for the 2010 FIBA World Championships, and notably absent was the Celtics point guard.

Initial reports had Rondo getting cut, a fate he began to fear after he did not play against Spain on Sunday, but it isn't quite that simple. Rondo actually asked that his name be withdrawn from consideration to attend to "family matters," said USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo.

"Rajon came to us and said he was going to withdraw from the team, that he had some family matters to attend to and some things to take care of before the NBA season. He did an outstanding job during our training, we appreciate the effort and commitment he made to our program and he completely has our support."

Rondo's uncle passed away two weeks ago.

In their exhibition schedule, Rondo started the first three games but was replaced by Russell Westbrook in the second half against Lithuania after committing four turnovers in just 14 minutes, and then lost his starting job to Derrick Rose against Spain (Rondo received a DNP for that contest). In all, he averaged 14.8 minutes, 2.7 points and 4.7 assists.

Team USA has one final exhibition game against Greece on Wednesday at 12 P.M EDT before opening the World Championships on Aug. 28, against Croatia.

For more reaction to a Rondo-less Team USA, visit CelticsBlog.