Basketball Star Loses Kidney After Injury During FIBA World Cup

• Serbia have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIBA World Cup
• The European giants will move on without star forward Borisa Simanic
• Simanic was elbowed during a game and had to have his kidney removed

Serbian basketballer, Borisa Simanic has officially been ruled out of the remainder of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, citing complications stemming from an injury sustained during a game.

Recent news has indicated the injury to the power forward may be bigger than initially feared.

During Serbia's clash against South Sudan last Thursday, Simanic sustained a kidney-area injury with less than two minutes left on the clock, forcing him to exit the game prematurely.

Following his departure from the game, the 25-year-old was reportedly sent to a hospital in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, where he underwent surgery overnight.

According to Sportskeeda, the Casademont Zaragoza star experienced severe bleeding, as mentioned by coach Svetislav Pesic and it was difficult to find the blood needed for him.

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The Serbian Basketball Federation initially announced that Simanic's kidney and all its functions were preserved.

However, new information indicates this was not the case. As reported by As Telegraf, the big Serb has lost one of his kidneys and is ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

This coming Thursday, Serbia are set to take on Lithuania, another formidable European team that recently triumphed over the United States of America.

In the tournament, the European nation boasts four victories and a single loss, with their only setback being a narrow 78-76 defeat to Italy during the second round.

FIBA World Cup: Asian teams struggle

Sports Brief also recently reported on Asian teams' FIBA World Cup struggles as Japan recorded the continent's only win by beating Finland.

Nations from the Asian continent combined for a 1-17 record in the group stage, with all six nations failing to reach the tourney's second round.

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Countries with most FIBA World Cup wins

Sports Brief has also reported on the countries with the most FIBA World Cup wins.

The USA and the former Yugoslavia are tied at the top with five championships each.

The Soviet Union are in third with three titles won at the global basketball tournament.