By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Limiting roster options for head coach Svetislav Pesic, Borisa Simanic bows out of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Simanic, 25, underwent surgery in Manila Wednesday, announced the Basketball Federation of Serbia, KSS. After receiving a hit in the kidney area and leaving the game versus South Sudan, he was taken to the hospital and the emergency room for urgent surgery.
The product of Crvena Zvezda’s youth system lasted only two minutes before exiting the Group B Gameday 3 contest. With his debut in a major international tournament cut short, he put in 1.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.3 assists, and 0.3 blocks per game in a reserve role throughout the preliminary round of the World Cup.
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Apart from missing players the likes of Nikola Jokic, Nikola Kalinic, Vasilije Micic, Nemanja Nedovic, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Vladimir Lucic for various reasons, Serbia has dealt with injuries since landing in Quezon City for Group B action. Specifically, Filip Petrusev has been ruled out for two straight games after hurting his right ankle in Gameday 1 opposite China and Aleksa Avramovic did not play against South Sudan. Both are questionable to suit up for the next game.
Moving to the next round carrying a 3-0 record to Group I, Italy on Friday and the Dominican Republic on Sunday shape the remaining path in Smart Araneta Coliseum. Securing first or second seed would clinch a berth in the Quarterfinals, otherwise would be eliminated and rank between ninth and 16th.
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