Tim Duncan was on an island by himself.

He could not bring himself to play for the United States against his native Virgin Islands. He grew up with many of the players on that team. Some were his classmates. And even though St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John are an unincorporated territory of the United States, and even though the Islanders are American citizens, they also consider themselves a somewhat separate entity.

So when the United States faced the Virgin Islands on Saturday in their final opening-round game of the FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Duncan - a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player with the San Antonio Spurs - declined to participate.

He wore his uniform, he warmed up, but he did not tape his ankles. Craig Sager, the analyst for the pay-per-view TV package, showed up an hour before tipoff anticipating taping a pregame interview with Duncan. Instead, he found himself sitting across from Toronto Raptors star Vince Carter. As the session was about to end, Sager was handed a note telling him of Duncan's decision; when Sager posed the question, Carter seemed stunned.

Carter, though, recovered quickly, laughing and saying, "I'm playing against Canada." More seriously, he said, "Tim doesn't say much, but I have to respect his decision."

In truth, Duncan's decision had no effect on the outcome. The Americans won, 113-55, allowing them to enter tonight's start of the medal round with a 4-0 record, averaging 108 points and winning by an average margin of 39.7. The Americans are to play Canada tonight at 10 in the second round.

And Duncan is so quiet and reserved that most of his teammates didn't know his plans until the game began and the Los Angeles Clippers' Elton Brand was starting in his place.