The list of high-profiled NBA players who were withdrawing from being considered for a spot in the United States Men's Olympic Basketball Team final roster is growing.

Days after the league's back-to-back MVP Stephen Curry announced that he would skip playing for the U.S. in the upcoming 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, top-caliber players James Harden of Houston Rockets and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City Thunder have pulled out on Friday, further compromising a backcourt that was expected to be the strong point of the U.S. squad.

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"I have been extremely blessed to wear the 'red, white, and blue' and to compete at the highest international level with the greatest players representing the greatest country in the world," Harden said in a statement. "I sincerely hope I'll earn an opportunity to represent Team USA again in the future."

The two hotshots did not give a reason for their decision to back out from the 31-player roster pool. Jerry Colangelo, the chairman of the USA Basketball, said earlier this week that every player who has withdrawn so far had done so because of injury.

LaMarcus Aldridge of the San Antonio Spurs, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelican and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers cited injury issues as their main reason for skipping the chance to represent the country in the Olympics.  Clippers' Chris Paul and Wizards' John Wall will also be unavailable to play.

Brazil has been hit by the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which has been associated with cases of severe birth deformities and may cause adults potential neurological problems. Currently, there is no known specific treatment or vaccine available for the said disease.

Spain star player and Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol recently stated that he is considering passing over the Olympics due to the Zika virus outbreak.

TagsJames Harden, Russell Westbrook, NBA, Rio Olympics 2016, Stephen Curry, houston rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, pao gasol