Rondo pulls out before cut

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo has withdrawn from consideration for the US basketball team's FIBA World Championship campaign.

Rondo's request came as little surprise after the 24-year-old admitted he was expecting to be the last man cut from the team after being benched for the USA's third exhibition game against Spain on Sunday.

Rondo had started in the US team's first two exhibition games but played poorly, hitting one of four shots and making four turnovers in the most recent match against Lithuania at the weekend.

USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said Rondo indicated his desire to stay home to tend to 'family matters' ahead of the upcoming NBA season, which gets underway in October.

"[Rondo] did an outstanding job during our training, we appreciate the effort and commitment he made to our program and he completely has our support," Colangelo said.

Rondo's departure means the US squad is down to their final 12-man roster ahead of the World Championships in Turkey, where coach Mike Krzyzewski will be aiming for the USA's first gold medal since 1994.

Krzyzewski's squad consists of Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose, Rudy Gay, Lamar Odom, Chauncey Billups, Danny Granger, Russell Westbrook, Eric Gordon, Stephen Curry, Kevin Love, Tyson Chandler and Andre Iguodala.

The US team will play one final exhibition match against 2006 silver medallists Greece on Thursday.

The World Championships begin in Turkey on Saturday.