Giannis Antetokounmpo revealed on Friday that he will not be able to play for Greece in the upcoming FIBA World Cup since he continues to recover from knee surgery that he had during the offseason.
“After months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff, it is clear that I am not ready to compete at the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup,” Antetokounmpo posted on social media. “I did not have a choice in the matter; this was the only way for me to guarantee that I will return to the level of basketball play that I have labored so diligently to achieve thus far in my career.” This choice was reached with the assistance of the medical personnel, and while I am dissatisfied with the outcome, I must respect their judgment.
After missing the team’s training camp and several of the club’s exhibition games, the Greek national team had already determined that Antetokounmpo’s participation was undetermined. However, there was optimism that the two-time Most Valuable Player at NBA Online Betting PH may be given the all-clear following follow-up appointments with physicians that were due to take place in the United States this week.
The results of the match will affect Team USA, which was placed in the same World Cup pool as Greece, and on the teams that are scheduled to compete on August 28 in Manila, Philippines. At the World Cup in 2006, held in Japan, Greece notably defeated the United States. In addition, a warmup match between Team USA and Greece is set to take place in Abu Dhabi the following week.
Antetokounmpo had a treatment done on his left knee to clean up loose cartilage, according to a statement released by the Milwaukee Bucks a month ago. The Bucks, who were knocked out of the playoffs by the Miami Heat in the first round back in April, did not indicate when exactly Antetokounmpo underwent the operation. On the other hand, the superstar let it be known that he attempted to locate a means to get himself ready in time for the World Cup.
Antetokounmpo stated in the letter, “Everyone knows that my passion and love for my National Team has not changed, and it never will.” Since the end of my National Basketball Association season, I have been pushing the limits of my body to become the player I need to be to assist our team in achieving the goals that we have set.
The coveted Olympic places that will be awarded in Paris the following year are the prize many teams competing in the World Cup are vying for. Seven will be granted depending on performance at the World Cup, while the host country, France, will automatically receive the eighth and final spot. The remaining four berths will be decided via qualifying tournaments that will take place in the summer of 2019.
Antetokounmpo has never competed on the world’s most prestigious stage because Greece could not qualify for the Olympics in Tokyo.
Antetokounmpo has stated that he will continue to challenge himself to be prepared for the next time his name is called. “It would be an honor to represent my national team in the upcoming year, which is one of my personal goals, as well as our ultimate team goal, which is to qualify for the Olympic games in 2024.”
