Rolands Šmits will not be participating in the upcoming World Cup qualifying games for the Latvia men's basketball team against Poland due to an injury, according to a statement from the Latvian Basketball Union (LBS). Šmits sustained a leg muscle injury in early February, which prevents him from joining the national squad. His absence is particularly significant as he was the only representative from an EuroLeague club included in the list of potential candidates for the national team.

The Latvian team is scheduled to face Poland twice during the upcoming international window, once on February 27 at home and again on March 1 in Poland. Poland currently leads Group F with two victories, while Latvia and the Netherlands each have one win, and Austria has not won any games. The outcome of the matches will be critical as the top three teams from Group F will advance, alongside the best teams from Group E, involving Germany, Croatia, Israel, and Cyprus, to compete for a chance at the World Cup finals in Qatar.

This development adds pressure on the Latvian basketball team as they prepare for these crucial qualifiers. Without Šmits, the team will have to rely on their other players to step up and fill the gap left by his absence. The outcomes of these matches could significantly impact Latvia's hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, making them a point of intense focus for fans and analysts alike.