Serbia player Borisa Simanic has kidney removed after innocuous elbow in FIBA World Cup game

Serbia’s Boriša Simanić had his kidney removed as part of a second operation following a blow to the region during the 115-83 win vs. South Sudan on August 30. 

The Serbian Basketball Federation announced Monday Simanić underwent two operations, the second of which involved the removal of an entire kidney after issues.

The complication arose due to an issue locating his blood type with multiple Serb players offering to aid their teammate. 

Simanić – who played for the Utah Jazz in the NBA Summer League in 2022 – was was rushed to hospital after an unintentional elbow from South Sudan’s Nuni Omot. 

While going up for a lay up, Omot’s elbow landed right in the midriff of the Serbian forward. 

Serbia’s Boriša Simanić received an elbow to the midriff which ultimately cost him his kidney

Simanic will have to watch from the sidelines as his Serbian teammates play Lithuania Tuesday

He has since apologized for the moment which is expected to Simanić to be hospitalized with some time.

‘My apologies, I didn’t mean to make no type of a dirty play. I hope you have a speedy recovery. I pray for you, you’ll be in my prayers,’ Omot said. 

‘I’m not a dirty player, I’ve never been a dirty player. From the bottom of my heart, I sincerely apologize to everyone that’s watching and to the player especially.’

The 25-year-old Simanić was briefly with the Utah Jazz in 2022. He was briefly part of the summer league team. 

He has since played for the Spanish club, Casademont Zaragoza. Meanwhile, Serbia are readying for its quarter-final with Lithuania Tuesday.