Los Angeles Clippers' power forward Blake Griffin withdraws from the USA Basketball National Team Thursday citing to focus on upcoming National Basketball Association (NBA) season.

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Griffin is the leading scorer of the Clippers with an average of 23.5 points during the 2014 NBA playoffs and is one of 19 NBA players chosen to try out for the USA team that will participate in the upcoming 17^th edition of the FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain.

Griffin, 25, said that he wants to focus all his energy on improving himself and "preparing for the upcoming season with the Clippers."

The Clippers advanced to the playoffs last season in the Western Conference with 57 wins and 25 losses. They played the Golden State Warriors in the first round, defeating them four games to three in their best-of-seven matchup.

They then advanced to the semi-final round against the Oklahoma City Thunders where they lost four games to two.

Griffin averaged 23.5 points and 7.4 rebounds during the playoffs and is the best for the team.

Blake Austin Griffin went to Oklahoma Christian School where he played for the Saints under his father, head coach Tommy Griffin. He and his older brother, Taylor, led the team to back-to-back state championships.

When Taylor left for college and played for the University of Oklahoma Sooners, Blake continued to gain strength and eventually leading the Saints to two more state championships during his junior and senior years.

Blake followed his brother in college at the University of Oklahoma and during his sophomore year, he was awarded the prestigious Naismith College Player of the Year.

Griffin chose to skip his junior year and joined the 2009 NBA Draft where he was selected first-overall by the Los Angeles Clippers. He eventually became Rookie of the Year in 2011 and also won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

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