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 event.
Antetokounmpo underwent knee surgical procedure in the beginning of July and has been absent from Greece’s preparations for the event.
“Because the conclusion of my NBA season I’ve been pushing my physique to the boundaries to be the participant I should be to assist our workforce obtain the targets we set,” the 28-year-old Milwaukee Bucks star wrote on social media.
“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 should be to take part within the World Cup.
“This was not a selection however my solely possibility in guaranteeing I get again to the extent of basketball I’ve labored so arduous to attain thus far in my profession.
“I’m extraordinarily disillusioned on this end result.”
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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 put up, Antetokounmpo underlined his dedication to the Greek workforce and forged ahead to subsequent yr’s Paris Olympics.
“Everybody is aware of my ardour and love for my nationwide workforce has and by no means will change,” he mentioned.
“My private, and our final workforce purpose is to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Video games and it will likely be an honour to characterize my nationwide workforce subsequent yr.”
With out their star participant, Greece misplaced their final two warm-up video games towards Serbia (64-71) and Italy (70-74) as a part of the Acropolis Event.
The World Cup shall be performed within the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia, beginning on August 25.
Greece, led by Dimitris Itoudis, start their marketing campaign towards Jordan a day later in Group C which additionally comprises the USA and New Zealand.