Australian basketball star Patty Mills has been ruled out of action for seven months due to a shoulder injury.
Mills was part of the NBA Championship-winning San Antonio Spurs team last month, and was hopeful of representing his country in the upcoming FIBA Basketball World Cup.
However, the 25 year old requires an operation to repair a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder, ruling him out until the New Year.
As well as missing the World Cup, Mills will also enter free agency with the injury, meaning any potential contract offers may be affected.
He told Australia's Fairfax Media: "I haven't been through free-agency before, having this injury changes everything again. I have no idea how it works, but I'm guessing it will affect my next deal. We've got to make the most of the situation and move on.
"The injury was a shock, I didn't know it would be this bad. You think nothing can deflate you after winning a championship. It's going to be a brutal recovery process. I'll go straight into surgery, but I'm told the next four to six weeks I won't be able to do anything.
"Missing the World Cup is the toughest of it all, I have a tremendous amount of pride to play for Australia."
Mills has been with the Spurs since 2012, and before his injury the team were reportedly keen to keep hold of his services.
Joe McPhee
