Serbia & Montenegro's promising youngster Uros Tripkovic has been ruled out of the EuroBasket with a hand injury.

The Partizan Belgrade teenager sat out the ProMonte Super Cup played in Podgorica last weekend and hoped to return to the side after but medical tests have indicated he is still unable to practice for at least 10 more days.

With the national team set to take part in the Efes Cup in the key stage of preparations, coaches have reluctantly opted to go forward without Tripkovic.

"Doctors made the final decision on Tripkovic," said Zarko Paspalj, Serbia & Montenegro's team manager.

"He is really a great youngster and I'm truly sad that he will leave us in such a manner."

Tripkovic, who turns 19 on September 11, was given a prominent place at Partizan following Milos Vujanic's departure to Italian champions Climamio Bologna a couple of seasons ago.

Last season in the Euroleague, Tripkovic played more than 26 minutes per game, averaging 10.7 points and shooting 35.5% from behind the arc.

The 1.95m Tripkovic averaged 12 points for the national squad which took bronze at the FIBA Under-20 European championship in Russia earlier this summer.

Ironically, Tripkovic was contending for a place in the squad because Vujanic had suffered a serious knee injury earlier this season at Climamio.

Now both will have to sit in the stands and watch their national side attempt to win the gold medal as hosts of the event.