(Photo credit score: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports)
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t swimsuit up for his native Greece within the upcoming FIBA World Cup as he continues to get well from knee surgical procedure.
Antetokounmpo took to social media to announce that he’s not bodily able to play.
“Everyone knows my passion and love for my National Team has and never will change. 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,” Antetokounmpo wrote on Twitter Friday.
“But 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.”
Antetokounmpo, 28, missed 11 video games final season with knee soreness and had a “cleanup procedure” on his knee in June.
He expressed disappointment Friday at not having the ability to characterize his nation within the competitors however mentioned the transfer was needed for optimum restoration.
“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,” he continued. “I’m extraordinarily disenchanted 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 title is named. My private, and our final group purpose is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics video games and it is going to be an honor to characterize my National Team subsequent 12 months.
The World Cup runs from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 within the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Greece is in Group C with the United States, Jordan and New Zealand.
The Bucks mentioned in July they count on Antetokounmpo to be prepared for NBA coaching camp in September.
“Yes, he had a routine surgery on his left knee and it went great,” Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin advised reporters July 5. “Everything went as planned and we expect him back ready to go in training camp.”
The two-time NBA MVP and seven-time All-Star averaged 31.1 factors and 11.8 rebounds in 63 video games throughout the 2022-23 common season.
Antetokounmpo represented the Greek nationwide group on the FIBA World Cup in 2014 and 2019.
–Field Level Media