MANILA, Philippines — Boriša Simanić, a power forward on the Serbian national team, underwent surgery to remove a kidney after taking an elbow to the midsection during the FIBA World Cup, the Serbian Federation said Monday.
The injury initially happened in the final minutes of Serbia's win over the South Sudan last Wednesday. Simanić was elbowed by South Sudan's Nuni Omot and immediately crumpled in pain.
He was taken to the hospital and had emergency surgery overnight. Over the weekend, however, Simanic had complications. There was an issue finding his blood type, Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic said.
Several Serbian players volunteered to give Simanić their blood. On Sunday, Simanić underwent a second operation and had his kidney removed according to a statement by Serbian national team doctor Dragan Radovanović.