By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Addressing the left knee issue, Czech point guard Vit Krejci underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced Tuesday.
Per the press release: “Oklahoma City Thunder guard Vít Krejčí underwent a successful arthroscopic procedure on his left knee, the team announced today.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache at the Kerlan Jobe Institute in Los Angeles with Thunder medical personnel present. Krejčí is expected to return to full basketball activities prior to the start of the 2022-23 season.”
Krejci, 21, hurting his left knee early in the 2020-21 season, shortly before being selected with the 37th overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft, led Casademont Zaragoza to rule him out for the remainder of the season. Returning to action via the Thunder, he recorded 6.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.3 blocks per contest appearing in 30 NBA games, including eight starts. Besides the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season, he made his way to one brief showing in the G League with the Oklahoma City Blue.
Due to the surgery, the promising youngster was not available for Tuesday’s exit interviews following the conclusion of the Thunder’s campaign. His contract stretching through the 2024-25 season is partially guaranteed for the next couple of seasons and includes a team option for 2024-25.
Among the multiple former Basketball Champions League players jumping to the NBA, Krejci had appeared in 13 BCL games as a member of Zaragoza in 2019-20. The attached domestic run was highlighted by earning a spot in the 2019-20 All-ACB Best Young Players Team.
Summer action
Krejci is questionable to play in the 2022 EuroBasket. The Czech Republic will be hosting Group D of the preliminary round going up against Poland, Serbia, the Netherlands, Finland, and Israel in early September. The top four teams of the group will advance to the Round of 16.
More summer international play will send the national team of his country to host Bosnia-Herzegovina and visit Lithuania seeking to clinch a berth in the second round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Photo Credit: Getty Images