Oklahoma City Thunder superstar Kevin Durant won't play for Team USA in the upcoming 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup that is scheduled to start on Aug. 30 in Spain.

Durant, who was a lock to start for Team USA in their upcoming world title defense, withdrew from consideration for Team USA's World Cup team, saying that he is mentally and physically drained from the Thunder's campaign last season combined with personal responsibilities this offseason.

"I know that I owe it to my USA Basketball teammates to be totally invested in the experience. After going through training camp with USAB, I realized I could not fulfill my responsibilities to the team from both a time and energy standpoint," Durant said in a statement via ESPN. "I need to take a step back and take some time away, both mentally and physically in order to prepare for the upcoming NBA season."

USA Basketball executive director Jerry Colangelo said that he was not surprised with Durant's decision to leave the pool, pointing out that the reigning Most Valuable Player was not in his usual self during the minicamp.

"Kevin wasn't quite Kevin last week." Colangelo said of Durant via Yahoo Sports. "There was a lot of stuff, speculation. I don't know what it was. A lot of things with him. So when I got the call, I want to say it wasn't a total surprise about him not feeling capable of going forward physically and mentally."

With Durant's decision to skip this year's World Cup, the pool is now down to 15 players after Indiana Pacers star Paul George went down with a gruesome leg injury.

Washington Wizards' backcourt duo John Wall and Bradley was also cut from the team along with Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap.

Before the USA Basketball five-day minicamp in Las Vegas, superstars Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge, and 2014 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard also withdrew from the pool.

Colangelo expressed confidence that the reigning 15 players in the pool can turn into a cohesive unit capable of successfully defending their world title, but he also added that he is not ruling out possible late additions to the pool.

"Probably it won't be anything other than we go forward. But don't rule out the possibility," Colangelo said when asked about adding new players. "I really need to touch with Coach K so we can have a little discussion. We talked earlier, but because of these calls I wanted to discuss some things with him."

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