Ben Simmons will not play for Australia in this summer's Basketball World Cup.

Simmons, who appeared in 42 games last season for the Nets, will instead focus on rehabbing from injuries.

"Ben needs more time to focus on his rehab and he looks forward to being part of the Boomers in the future," announced the Australian Basketball Federation on Twitter.

Jordi Fernandez has been hired has head coach of the Canadian national basketball program.

Fernandez, who is also associate head coach of the Sacramento Kings, replaces Nick Nurse. The Philadelphia 76ers hired Nurse as head coach this offseason after his five-year run as head coach of the Toronto Raptors. 

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett and Dillon Brooks are amongst the players that could play for Canada.

Fernandez was a head coaching candidate for a number of jobs this offseason.

Rui Hachimura has decided to skip this summer's FIBA World Cup and will not suit up for Japan. Hachimura is focusing on preparing for his next NBA season and his first period of free agency in July. Hachimura will be a restricted free agent with the Los Angeles Lakers this summer.

Hachimura was acquired by the Lakers from the Washington Wizards ahead of last season's trade deadline. In 33 regular season games with Los Angeles, Hachimura averaged 9.6 points and 4.7 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game. In the playoffs, Hachimura averaged 12.2 points per game on 56/49/88 shooting splits.

The Lakers have frequently been mentioned as wanting to retain Hachimura. As a restricted free agent, Los Angeles would be able to match any offer that Hachimura gets from another team.

Victor Wembanyama's busy summer just got a bit less busy. Wembanyama has chosen to opt out of playing for France at the 2023 FIBA World Cup later this summer. The generational prospect is going to use the time to prepare for his rookie season in the NBA and the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

After selecting Wembanyama with the first overall pick at the 2023 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs spoke about his packed summer and the need to manage it appropriately. The 7-foot-4 big man plans to play in some Summer League games for the Spurs, and then he'll focus on getting ready for his NBA season.

Wembanyama understands there is likely disappointment in his decision to skip the World Cup, but he hopes people will understand his side of things.

"It would not be realistic in terms of development and not prudent in terms of health," Wembanyama said in announcing his decision to French newspaper L'Equipe. "I hope people will understand. It's frustrating for me, too. The France team is still central for me. I want to win as many titles as possible with the team. But I think it's a necessary sacrifice."

Paolo Banchero has committed to play for Team USA at the FIBA World Cup this summer.

Banchero becomes the 11th player to commit to their 12-man roster. Steve Kerr's roster will also have Anthony Edwards, Jaren Jackson, Tyrese Haliburton, Brandon Ingram, Jalen Brunson, Austin Reaves, Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler and Bobby Portis.

Banchero also entertained the idea of playing for Italy with his father being of Italian descent. 

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis is unlikely to play for Lithuania at this summer's FIBA World Cup. Sabonis is still recovering from a right thumb injury that he suffered during the NBA season.

That injury has Lithuanian head coach Kazys Maksvytis doubtful that he'll have his star on this summer's roster.

"We all hope that Domantas will play," Maksvytis said in the Zalgiris on Air podcast. "However, we all know the valid reasons. If I had to say on his chances today, I'd say those chances are less than 50 percent."

Lithuania was drawn into a group that includes Egypt, Mexico and Montenegro. The World Cup is scheduled to run from August 25 through September 10.

Victor Wembanyama's season in France just wrapped up, about a week ahead of the 2023 where he'll be the first overall selection. But Wembanyama's busy summer is only just getting started.

It's been reported that the San Antonio Spurs would like to have Wembanyama play at least some in NBA Summer League. The Spurs will play in both the California Classic in Sacramento and NBA Summer League in Las Vegas in July.

Beyond that, France hopes to have Wembanyama on their 2023 FIBA World Cup roster. French National Team coach Vincent Collet, who also coached Wembanyama on Metropolitans 92 this season, said he believe the young star would benefit from playing in the World Cup.

"I'd like him to play a lot since there are the Olympic Games after the World Cup. I think he wants it as well. This World Cup is a launching pad," Collet said. "The World Cup experience would prepare him best for his entry into the NBA."

The 2023 World Cup will be played from August 25 through September 10. France will play in Jakarta, Indonesia in a group with Canada, Latvia and Lebanon.

Cam Johnson committed to Team USA for this summer's FIBA World Cup, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The team also received a commitment from Walker Kessler on Wednesday. 

Team USA opens the World Cup against New Zealand on August 26. 

Walker Kessler committed to Team USA for this summer's FIBA World Cup, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Kessler joins Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., and several others on the roster. 

Team USA opens the World Cup against New Zealand on August 26. 

The 2023 USA Men's U16 National Team won the gold medal for the eighth-straight time at the FIBA Men's U16 Americas Championship. The Americans, bolstering a 6-0 record at the event, defeated Canada 118-36 on Sunday in Mexico.

Cameron Boozer was named the MVP of the 2023 FIBA Men's U16 Americas Championship.

Boozer joins seven other Americans who have earned the honor - Bradley Beal (2009), Jabari Parker (2011), Malik Newman (2013), Gary Trent Jr. (2015), Vernon Carey Jr. (2017), Chris Livingston (2019) and Robert Dillingham (2021).