Serbian Basketball Player Loses Kidney After Taking Elbow In FIBA World Cup Game

Boriša Simanić — a 25-year-old member of Serbia’s national team — had to have his kidney removed over the weekend … after the power forward was injured during a play in a FIBA World Cup game last week.

Simanić had been guarding South Sudan’s Nuni Omot during their contest in the Philippines on Aug. 30 … when Omot appeared to accidentally elbow the big man right in his side.

Simanić — a member of the Utah Jazz’s summer league team last year — doubled over in pain … and hours later, he required emergency surgery at a local hospital to fix the issues the inadvertent collision caused.

Unfortunately, Serbian coach Svetislav Pesic said Simanić suffered a setback in his recovery over the weekend … and according to Serbian team officials, he then had to have one of his kidneys removed on Sunday.

He’s expected to remain in the Philippines for the foreseeable future while he heals.

For his part, Omot released a statement Monday saying he had no intentions whatsoever of hurting Simanić.

“As a sportsman, I firsthand understand the severity of his situation and I am deeply sorry that this happened,” Omot said. “No player should have to go through that. I pray for Simanić’s recovery and speedy return to the court.”

Serbia was able to beat Lithuania without Simanić on Tuesday … and Simanić’s teammates made sure to let him know they were thinking about him at the game, leading a chant with fans inside the arena.