By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
As rumored for weeks, Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t officially be at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. After Nikola Jokic with Serbia, another NBA superstar announced his unavailability ahead of the most anticipated International tournament of the year.
“Everyone knows my passion and love for my National Team has and never will change. Since the conclusion of my NBA season, I have been pushing my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set. But after months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff it is clear that I am not ready to compete in the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup”, he said via an official statement on his social media platforms.
“This was not a choice but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career. I am extremely disappointed in this outcome but this was a decision made with the medical staff. I’m going to continue to push myself to be ready for the next time my name is called. My personal, and our ultimate team goal is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics games and it will be an honor to represent my National Team next year”, Giannis Antetokounmpo added.
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At EuroBasket 2022, the Greek Freak put up 29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in six appearances with the national team under head coach Dimitris Itoudis. In his latest World Cup, he had 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, growing a lot between the two International tournaments.
The Milwaukee Bucks superstar, who had 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in the 2022-23 NBA season, suffered several knee injuries since EuroBasket and still hasn’t recovered from an arthroscopy undergone on July 5. He won’t be there to help Greece against Team USA, Jordan, and New Zealand in Manila’s Group C.
Everyone knows my passion and love for my National Team has and never will change. Since the conclusion of my NBA season I have been pushing my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set.
But after months of work and multiple… pic.twitter.com/1uhTlfNZVE— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) August 11, 2023
PHOTO CREDIT: EuroBasket 2022