By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Tibor Pleiss left the German national team during the Eurobasket 2017 qualifications and signed with Galatasaray, a move that dissapointed the head coach of the German NT, Chris Fleming.
Speaking to SID news agency Fleming, who is also the assistant coach of the Nets, was more than clear: “I would be hard pressed to remember a player who has left the team this way. It was a huge disappointment.”
Pleiss left saying that he intended to have try outs in the States, but he ended up signing in Turkey. “He realized his NBA dream in Istanbul”, said Fleming who didn’t try to stop Pleiss from leaving: “From the moment when he told me, it was over for me. If you have an invitation to play in the NT and no particular problems or injuries, then you have the responsibility to come. Besikdes Heiko Schaffartzik and Anton Gavel, who said promptly after the Eurobasket that they will not play, all others have pledged or promised with the condition: If I am healthy, then I play. Even if the Eurobasket, FIBA World Cup, the Tokyo Olympics or the pride to wear the national team jersey is not enough motivation, there’s still a responsibility. For the Eurobasket 2017 roster, I will focus on the players who have helped us”.