‘Extremely disappointed’: Giannis Antetokounmpo ruled out of FIBA World Cup
Greece’s hopes of touchdown basketball’s World Cup took a serious blow on Friday when their star participant Giannis Antetokounmpo introduced he’ll miss the match.
Antetokounmpo underwent knee surgical procedure at the start of July and has been absent from Greece’s preparations for the match.
“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,” the 28-year-old Milwaukee Bucks star wrote on social media.
“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.
“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.”
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The 213cm small ahead started his profession with Filathlitikos earlier than a dream transfer to the NBA with the Bucks in 2013.
In his social media publish, Antetokounmpo underlined his dedication to the Greek staff and forged ahead to subsequent 12 months’s Paris Olympics.
“Everyone knows my passion and love for my national team has and never will change,” he stated.
“My personal, and our ultimate team goal is to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games and it will be an honour to represent my national team next year.”
Without their star participant, Greece misplaced their final two warm-up video games in opposition to Serbia (64-71) and Italy (70-74) as a part of the Acropolis Tournament.
The World Cup will likely be performed within the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, beginning on August 25.
Greece, led by Dimitris Itoudis, start their marketing campaign in opposition to Jordan a day later in Group C which additionally accommodates the USA and New Zealand.
