Giannis Antetokounmpo is not going to play for Greece on the Basketball World Cup that begins later this month, with the Milwaukee Bucks star saying on Friday he and his medical advisers determined that he’s merely not able to compete.
Antetokounmpo had surgical procedure on his left knee earlier this summer time.
Greece will play the US, Jordan and New Zealand in group-stage video games at Manila within the event, which begins on August 25 within the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
“Everybody is aware of my ardour and love for my nationwide workforce has and by no means will change,” Antetokounmpo wrote in a press release on Friday.
“For the reason that conclusion of my NBA season I’ve been pushing my physique to the bounds to be the participant I have to be to assist our workforce obtain the targets we set. However after months of labor and a number of conferences with medical employees it’s clear that I’m not able to compete within the degree that I have to be to take part within the World Cup.”
Antetokounmpo missed 19 regular-season video games for Bucks this previous season, 11 of these due to left knee soreness. Bucks have stated they consider the clean-up surgical procedure on his knee went nicely and that they anticipate him to be prepared for coaching camp, which begins in about seven weeks.
His absence will additional harm the star energy of this World Cup. Solely two members of this previous season’s All-NBA workforce — Slovenia’s Luka Doncic of Dallas and Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma Metropolis — are slated to play within the event.
Antetokounmpo is a seven-time All-Star, two-time NBA MVP and led Bucks to the 2021 NBA title. He averaged 31.1 factors and 11.8 rebounds this previous season.
He stated he needs to play with Greece on the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“This was not a alternative however my solely possibility in guaranteeing I get again to the extent of basketball I’ve labored so arduous to realize to date in my profession.” Antetokounmpo stated.
“I’m extraordinarily disillusioned on this final result however this was a call made with the medical employees. I’m going to proceed to push myself to be prepared for the subsequent time my identify is known as.”