Obama gets a sharp elbow on hoops court and 12 stitches

In a Friday morning pickup game, US President Barack Obama was accidentally elbowed by one of his fellow players, forcing him to get 12 stitches in his lip, the White House said.

Obama received the stitches under local anesthesia in the doctor's office on the ground floor of the White House after he returned home from the game at Fort McNair, a military base where he often plays.

The White House at first did not identify the person who went up for a shot and elbowed Obama, who was playing defense. But later Friday, administration officials released a statement from Rey Decerega, the director of programs for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, who injured Obama.

"I learned today the president is both a tough competitor and a good sport. I enjoyed playing basketball with him this morning," Decerega said. "I'm sure he'll be back out on the court again soon."

cIt was the first time that it is publicly known that Obama has injured himself in his almost two years in the White House, on or off the court.