SYDNEY (AP) — Australian media reported that NBA champion San Antonio Spurs point guard Patty Mills will be sidelined for up to seven months with a right shoulder injury.

Fairfax Media reports Wednesday that Mills has withdrawn from Australia’s campaign for the Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 World Cup in Spain and will undergo surgery in the next few days to repair the rotator cuff in his shoulder.

The news comes hours into the NBA free-agency period that many expected to land Mills a major contract.

The report says Mills played through pain during the NBA season and scans revealed the wear and tear just two weeks after he helped the Spurs win the title.

Mills scored 17 points for the Spurs in the clinching Game 5 as a backup to Tony Parker.

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