By George Orfanakis / info@eurohoops.net
Basketball fans will have to reconcile with the idea that some of the most important European names in the business will not be present on the courts of the competition.
Some chose to rest, some saw their NBA teams giving them the… red light, some are plagued by injury problems, while others will be absent from their NTs as they decided to retire.
At the same time, it has to be noted that the EuroBasket no longer ensures direct qualification to the World Cup, which means that the new situation affects negatively the prestige of the competition and the final decision of some players.
Eurohoops presents the 15 stars who will be missed the most but also the appearances and playing time they registered last season…
Milos Teodosic (Serbia)
Appearances: 29 EuroLeague – 21 VTB League (50 in total)
Playing time: 27.37’ EuroLeague – 21.39’ VTB League
The big leader of the Serbian national team will not be on the courts of the EuroBasket! Milos Teodosic is one of the latest losses for the competition since, as was made officially known, the team’s doctors in cooperation with the Los Angeles Clippers agreed that the player is unable to help.
Teodosic is coming from a full season with 50 games, while next season he will have to be ready for the new challenge of the NBA!
Ante Zizic (Croatia)
Appearances: 20
Playing time: 21:51 minutes
Zizic made the big jump to the NBA this summer, after signing with the Boston Celtics, then was later involved in their Isaiah Thomas – Kyrie Irving trade with Cleveland Cavaliers.
This summer he will not reinforce the Croatian NT, after spending several years in his nation’s youth teams in FIBA tournaments.
Sergio Llull (Spain)
Appearances: 33 EuroLeague – 44 ACB (77 in total)
Playing time: 27.48’ EuroLeague – 27.8’ ACB
Sergio Llull was the most unlucky player in this preparation period as he suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in Spain’s friendly against Belgium, which means that he will miss the EuroBasket but also a big part of the coming season.
What is impressive in the case of the Spanish guard, however, is his number of appearances last season. The meter stopped at 77 games at home and abroad, with an average of about 27.5 minutes. How much more could he take?