The Shinshu Brave Warriors have released injured center Marcus Cousin, the team announced earlier this week.
Cousin, 28, appeared in six games for the Brave Warriors (6-12) this season. He averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds.
A former Utah Jazz player, Cousin had 20 points and 17 rebounds on Oct. 4 in Shinshu's second game this season. After appearing in the team's first five games, he was sidelined due to a knee injury, then returned to play six minutes on Nov. 21. He didn't play in another game.
"(I) was not getting the proper treatment/rest in Japan," Cousin wrote on Facebook, "as I was being forced to practice/play on my injury which needed 3-4 weeks' rest at least initially that I did not get, only made (it) worse.
"So I had to come back to America to get the proper treatment I need from my doctor. (I) feel bad for my teammates because they needed me and for the fans that I couldn't come back as they are very passionate for this club, but it was out of my control. All that matters now is to get back healthy ASAP so I can get back to doing what I love."