Philadelphia 76ers Forward Andres Nocioni Injured in FIBA Training Camp

Sixers forward and Argentinian National Team player Andres Nocioni injured his ankle on Saturday while practicing for the upcoming FIBA World Championships. His status for the tournament is unknown.

Nocioni was one of the key pieces in this summer's trade with the Sacramento Kings that sent Samuel Dalembert to Sacramento for Nocioni and center Spencer Hawes.

Reports from the Argentinian training camp state that Nocioni injured his left ankle during a team scrimmage. Nocioni was seen later with an air cast boot on the left ankle and walking with the assistance of crutches.

"We expect there to be developments in the first 72 hours and then after 10 days, and those interest me most," said team doctor Diego Grippo. "For now, he is out of all the training with Argentina."

Nocioni, aside from being extremely important to the Sixers in 2010, was expected to start for the returning FIBA Champion Argentinians. He was expected to take the starting spot at forward from Manu Ginobili.

Sixers team president Ed Stefanski told Inquirer columnist Phil Janser that no time table has been set for Nocioni and that they are still pending the results of an MRI.

''Until then, we don't know the severity of the situation,'' Stefanski said.

Nocioni averaged 8.5 points and three rebounds for the Kings in 2009-10. Reports from the Argentinian National team state that Nocioni is expected to remain on the team's active roster when the FIBA championships begin on Aug. 28th in Turkey.

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