Kristaps Porzingis passes on Olympic qualifying

Kristaps Porzingis announced that he will not participate in the Olympic qualifying tournament this summer with Latvia.

The New York Knicks had hoped that Porzingis would stay in the United States this summer to work with their coaches and training staff. Forgoing participation in international play will allow Porzingis to do just that.

The rookie announced his decision Monday at a news conference in Latvia, his home country.

The decision to sit out the qualifying tournament likely wasn't an easy one for Porzingis. He spoke often about how important it was to him that he represent his country.

"My heart is saying you should go and play for your country, you should represent your country," Porzingis said last month. "At the same time, with my head, I'm understanding this is a big offseason for me and I really want to work individually."

The qualifying tournament is scheduled for early July. Had he played in it, Porzingis would have missed an opportunity to work with the Knicks' training staff and coaches for at least a portion of the offseason.

Porzingis is focused on his long-term development this summer, but the decision to forgo playing for his country wasn't an easy one, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Porzingis is currently in Latvia but plans to begin intense training in the United States shortly.

This offseason is a crucial one for the 20-year-old. He hopes to add about 12 pounds to his frame this summer and enter next season weighing around 245 pounds.

"Not only putting on weight and being big, but being more athletic, quicker, being able to guard smaller guys when we switch," Porzingis said last month. "I want to be the guy who can be last quarter on the court as the 5-man and be able to guard everybody and switch with everybody. That's how basketball is these days."

Porzingis also plans to work on his post game, which is a key component of the Knicks' triangle offense.

"They have the idea pretty clear on what they want me to work on," Porzingis said last month of the Knicks' staff. "So it will be a big offseason for me."