Injury Forces Robinson to Withdraw

Glenn Robinson, widely considered the most debatable selection to the U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team, withdrew from the squad Tuesday because of an Achilles’ tendon injury.

Seattle SuperSonic guard Gary Payton, passed over by the USA Basketball Committee the first time around, will apparently replace Robinson. Payton’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, said that Payton has filled out the necessary paperwork and will join the team.

USA Basketball had no comment.

Many basketball insiders had questioned the selection of Robinson as one of the original 10 players named to the squad in favor of a number of more prominent, and arguably more deserving, athletes.

Robinson, a 6-foot-8 forward for Milwaukee and the NBA’s top draft pick in 1994, has been troubled by tendinitis in his right leg.