By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Summer’s coming soon, and with that, FIBA EuroBasket 2025, organized among four countries: Latvia, which will also host the final phase, Cyprus, Finland, and Poland.
The Baltic hosts are one of the most anticipated teams to watch in the competition, having finished 5th in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup and coming off only a loss in the final of the 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament to Brazil, eager to get revenge.
In both occasions, they didn’t have Kristaps Porzingis on board, as the Latvian superstar was conditioned by injuries collected during the NBA Regular Season and Playoffs with the Boston Celtics.
This time, as he confirmed his intention to the Latvian portal Sportacentrs.com, it could finally be the opportunity to see him return to the International stage with the Latvian national team.
Could a medal be in play for Latvia? 🇱🇻
Kristaps Porzingis confirmed his commitment to play in #EuroBasket 2025 in Riga.
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) April 16, 2025
“Whether I want to play for the national team or not, it’s a silly question. The past few summers didn’t work out because I was injured. I’ve never refused the national team. This summer, I’ll be there. Health is the main thing, and then everything else will follow,” he said as reported by FIBA.
The last time he represented Latvia, Kristaps Porzingis helped his country finish on top at the World Cup Qualifiers, averaging 25.5 points and 14.0 rebounds over two winning appearances.
At FIBA EuroBasket 2017, the last and until now only big event played by the Latvian Unicorn with his country over the course of his successful career, the now 29-year-old big man put up 23.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, reaching the Quarter-Finals where they lost to Slovenia.
Latvia, which will be coached once more by Luca Banchi, has been drawn in Group A with Serbia, Czechia, Turkiye, Estonia, and Portugal – all games are set to be played in Riga.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA