Report: Drew Gooden will not play for Finland in FIBA World Cup

It looks as though Drew Gooden's quest to represent Finland at the upcoming FIBA World Cup in Spain will not come to fruition.

According to a report by The Washington Post, sources with knowledge of the situation are saying that Gooden's application for dual citizenship will not be cleared in time for him to participate in the tournament.

The 12-year NBA veteran was reportedly left off team Finland's roster when it was released on Wednesday.

Gooden's mother is Finnish, and the Wizards forward spent whole summers on his Grandparent's farm four hours north of Helsinki.

“Half of my family is still over there and I communicate with them all the time,” Gooden said. “So it’s like I have time spent there. It’s not like I’m doing this because I just happen to be half-Finnish. No, I really actually have ties to Finland and the culture.”

For Gooden, playing for Finland wasn't a desperate, last-ditch attempt to participate in this year's tournament. He identifies as Finnish, and his inability to suit up for the national team this year won't deter him from continuing to pursue his dual citizenship.

“If something happens and there’s a bump in the road where this is not possible this year, I’m still going to be going there and supporting the team, supporting the players in Spain and start to build a relationship for the future for years to come,” Gooden said. “Either way you want to see it, I’m still going to get my dual citizenship and I am going to become a Finnish citizen, whether I’m playing on the team or not, eventually.”