By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Latvia made a significant impact at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, stunning France and Spain and winning fifth place in the final standings. All that without their main star, Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis.
He injured his foot prior to the tournament and couldn’t help his national team, even though he traveled with the squad to show support to his compatriots. He now revealed that changing shoes might have caused the injury that prevented him from playing at the World Cup.
“I think it started because I changed shoes during the summer,” Porzingis said, Boston Herald reports. “I think that’s what kind of got the foot a little sensitive. I didn’t pay too much attention to it, kept working out, and kept playing because training camp was about to start for our national team. I was actually in great shape and feeling good, but the foot was a little bit bothering me, so I told the medical staff, and they told me to rest for a few days. We just couldn’t get that much progress in a short time.”
Former New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and Washington Wizards star admits it was hard accepting he won’t be able to help Latvia in their first World Cup appearance.
“The smart decision was for me to sit out and make sure the foot gets to recover before I start the season, and that’s what I did. It was a tough decision. I know it may not seem like it was such a big deal, but it was a big deal for me not to be able to play for my country in the World Cup, really hurt my soul. But I knew it was the right decision, and I’m glad I made the tough decision at that moment, and now I’m 100 percent to start the season.”
Injuries are in the past, and Porzingis is ready to start the training camp with his new team in front of the 2023/24 season.
“I could have played 70-plus games last season, and I felt great throughout the year. I missed most of the games actually because I was sick, not because of injuries, and I expect that for myself again this season just being out there on the court also all the games. I know the medical staff is going to do their part and tell me when I can and when I shouldn’t play, but I want to play out there every game I can, and I will make sure I do,” Kristaps Porzingis concluded.
Photo: Screenshot – Youtube.com