Mozgov says he never refused to join Russian basketball team for 2019 FIBA World Cup

The 33-year-old center is currently recovering from a knee injury, which forced him to skip the past season.

"Timofei has just signed a contract for the period of one year," the press service of Khimki BC stated.

Mozgov is one of the first two Russian basketball players to win the much-coveted NBA Champion’s ring, which he snatched defending Cleveland Cavaliers in 2015. His compatriot and teammate at that time, Sasha Kaun, was the other Russian national to enjoy the privilege of earning the US-based basketball league’s championship ring, although he spent less time on the court compared to Mozgov.

Russia’s powerful basketball center Mozgov, who is two meters and 16 centimeters tall (7 feet and 1 inch) and weighs 125 kg (275 pounds), told TASS earlier in the month he hoped to join the national team for the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China but was undergoing a medical treatment on a knee injury.

The chances for the athlete's participation in the 2019 FIBA World Cup China

Khimki BC Director General Pavel Astakhov said in an interview with TASS that Mozgov was unlikely to join the national team for the world championships in China.

"Having followed Timofei's recovery process since the beginning of the summer we have concluded that he will be physically ready, perhaps not completely, by the start of the season," Astakhov said. "But at the moment Mozgov will be of no help for the national team, unfortunately."

"By the start of September he [Mozgov] should join the club's main group for the training sessions," Astakhov continued.

"But this is my personal opinion and the coaching staff of the national team should know better about Timofei’s current physical shape and what he can do for the national team," he added.

The 18th edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men’s teams is scheduled to be hosted by China between August 31 and September 15. Following the draw on March 16, the Russian national team was placed in Group B alongside the teams of Nigeria, Argentina and South Korea.

Playing for the Russian national basketball team Mozgov became bronze medalist of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London and bronze medalist of the 2011 European Basketball Championships.

Andrei Kirilenko, the president of the Russian Basketball Federation (RBF), told TASS last week that Mozgov had a chance of rejoining the team for the championship only if he rehabilitated from the injury and gained the required physical shape.

"Our team needs Mozgov, he would be of great help at the World Cup, but only if he is healthy and physically fit," Kirilenko said. "He [Mozgov] needs to complete his recovery and gain the required shape."