Sixers want Nocioni to skip tournament

Philadelphia -- The NBA's Philadelphia 76ers advised Argentine swingman Andres Nocioni to skip the FIBA World Championships because of an ankle injury.

Nocioni was acquired in June by the Sixers from Sacramento. However, early this month Nocioni reported a left ankle sprain and a subsequent examination led doctors to say Nocioni should stop all impact activity until training camp opens in about a month.

Argentina is to open its World Championship play Saturday against Germany.

Nocioni, 30, has played six NBA seasons, averaging 11.3 points and 4.7 rebounds over 449 games. He helped Argentina win the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and was on the bronze-medal-winning team in 2008 in Beijing.

Copyright 2010 United Press International, Inc. (UPI).

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