Steven Adams will not be playing for the Tall Blacks at July's FIBA Olympic Games qualifying tournament.
Basketball New Zealand released a statement this afternoon confirming that Adams' would not be donning the black singlet as the Tall Blacks fight for a place at the Rio games.
"This was a very difficult decision as I take tremendous pride in being a New Zealander," Adams said.
"The Tall Blacks organisation has been extremely supportive and we felt it was best to make an announcement now as preparations have already begun for the qualifying tournament and the Games."
Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare said it was disappointing not to have the Oklahoma City Thunder star in his team.
"Of course we would have liked to have Steve join the 2016 campaign. I've said it before that he is world class and would bring plenty to our group, just as we believe the Tall Blacks environment would offer plenty to Steve," Henare said.
"Our history shows the Tall Blacks are a formidable team that can mix it with the best in the world, I think you’ll find that 2016 is no different."
The 18 teams fighting for the final three spots at the Olympics are split up into three FIBA qualifying tournaments of six teams, with only the winner from each progressing to Rio.
New Zealand (ranked 21st in FIBA world rankings) face a tall order to qualify for the Rio Olympics, drawn alongside France (5th) and the Philippines (28th).
In Group A of the same tournament is Turkey (8th), Senegal (31st) and Canada (26th).
Newshub.