Soviet basketball star Arvidas Sabonis, who has...

Soviet basketball star Arvidas Sabonis, who has been in Portland since April 22 recovering from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, said he expects to be pressured by Soviet officials to play in the Olympic Games.

The 7-foot 2-inch Lithuanian center has made it clear, however, that he wants to skip the Olympics and wait until he is healthy before returning to action.

“I understand there will be pressure,” Sabonis said in an interview with the Portland Oregonian. “I don’t want to play, but I don’t know what will happen.”

Sabonis was drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986 and is hoping to become the first Soviet basketball star to play in the National Basketball Assn.