The Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo is absent from the World Cup!
Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, one of the NBA teams, will miss the FIBA World Cup due to his recovery after minor knee surgery recently.
“Everyone knows my passion and love for my national team and that will never change,” Antetokounmpo said in a message posted on social media in English and Greek on Friday. “Since the end of my NBA season, I have been pushing the limits of my body to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set for ourselves. But after months of work and many meetings with the medical team, it is clear that I am not ready to compete at the level required to qualify for the World Cup.”
The 28-year-old star was recruited by Dimitris Itodudis, despite undergoing surgery to remove loose cartilage from his left knee.
The Bucks will begin training camp in mid-September, before the NBA season begins in late October.
Greece in Group C; The United States will fight their way out of the group along with Jordan and New Zealand.
The World Cup will start on August 25 and end on September 10.