Spain star Jorge Garbajosa has decided not to withdraw from Spain's squad, despite the Toronto Raptors' announcing they want him to skip the EuroBasket.

Spain's doctors believe Garbajosa could be fully recovered from the operation on his ankle and fibula that he underwent after suffering a serious injury in an NBA game at the end of March.

		“	We have always looked at doing what is best for the player, not looking in view of the team or the EuroBasket but in view of his future."	„
		Pepu Hernandez Spain Coach

On Thursday, Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said the club would not give its consent for the 2.07m power forward/center to play in Spain, where the EuroBasket is being staged.

FIBA Europe on Friday confirmed Garbajosa would have the final decision if Toronto and Spain could not reach an agreement.

Garbajosa, who made the NBA All-Rookie first team after helping Toronto win the Atlantic Division, on Friday said: "After my club, the Toronto Raptors, issued a statement, I want to clarify my position in a written statement.

"The statement issued to the press (by Toronto) is not a surprise to me, nor to the people who surround me.

"We are conscious of Toronto's interests in wanting to preserve my physical condition with regards to the future, just as they are aware of my firm wish to compete with my National Team at the EuroBasket as long as my physical condition allows me to.

"I have hope that the situation will resolve itself favourably. As well as recovering from my injury, we are working hard to get the insurance against injury that would comply with the requirements by the Toronto Raptors in case of a risk.

"I would like to thank the media, and the fans for all the support and interest they have had in me.

"Lastly, I would like to ask everyone for patience and understanding as I will not make any more statements until this situation is fully resolved."

		The Toronto Raptors have said they will not grant Garbajosa permission to play.

Garbajosa was an important player in last year's team, and he was sorely missed in the play-offs.

In Japan, he was the MVP of Spain's gold medal win against Greece, with his presence even more important after an injury had knocked Pau Gasol out of the final.

On Friday, both Spain Basketball Federation president Jose Luis Saez and National Team coach Pepu Hernandez spoke about Garbajosa before he released his statement.

Saez said to PA Sport: "I am a man of a lot of faith, and I still have hope that Jorge will play at the EuroBasket.

"Obviously, we will have to wait to hear what Jorge has to say."

At the National Team practice in Valencia, Hernandez also emphasised to PA Sport: "Jorge is with us and we are trying to work on getting him well, not so much on getting him in the team but getting him better."

Hernandez stressed that at no time had he, or the federation put Garbajosa under any pressure.

"Someone has said that we were putting pressure but the truth is, we have always looked at doing what is best for the player, not looking in view of the team or the EuroBasket but in view of his future," he said.

"Jorge is a player we appreciate and we are trying to help him on his recovery, although in my opinion he no longer has an injury - either to play with us or to play with Toronto."

Spain's first EuroBasket game is on September 3 in Sevilla against Portugal.

They will also take on Croatia and Latvia and if they qualify for the next phase, will travel to Madrid.