By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Valencia guard Klemen Prepelic is currently rehabilitating from surgery on his left arm and plans to be ready in time to play in the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket where his Slovenian national team will defend the gold medal won in the previous tournament of 2017.
“I have spoken with the national team about missing the last window of the World Cup [Qualifiers]. If all goes well, on July 26 I will join the national team and I will start preparing for the EuroBasket,” Prepelic said in a video interview for Valencia after signing a one-year contract extension with the Spanish club.
Prepelic, 29, underwent season-ending surgery after breaking his arm in March. Before he was hurt, he was the leading scorer for Valencia in both the EuroCup and the Spanish ACB League with 14.2 and 15.1 points respectively.
There was initial concern that Prepelic won’t be able to make the EuroBasket but his recovery has progressed quite successfully. “It’s going quite well, everything is within plan. I have almost no pain anymore and I just hope to have good news on the next x-ray to start working with contacts,” he said.
Prepelic was a key member of the Slovenian team that won the 2017 EuroBasket, averaging 13.8 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in the competition. He had 21 points in the championship game against Serbia.
Slovenia is expected to be at full strength in the 2022 EuroBasket, with Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic joining the ranks as well.
Photo: FIBA