HAMILTON, Ontario () -- Richard Matienzo, the leading scorer on the Cuban national basketball team, is seeking refugee status in Canada, police and a sports official said.


The 6-foot-6, 210-pound center did not practice with the team Thursday morning in Toronto, nor was he with the team when Cuba lost to Germany 86-74 later in a World Basketball Championship contest.


"He has been in contact with an immigration lawyer and right now he's making arrangements with Immigration Canada to turn himself in," said Staff Sergeant John Silloats of the Metro Toronto police.