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?
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
Appearances: 86
Playing time: 38.1 minutes
The damaged knee and the Bucks’ decision not to give the OK deprived Giannis Antetokounmpo of his participation in the upcoming EuroBasket. The Greek superstar is coming off the most productive but also most exhausting season of his career with a total of 86 appearances and 38.1 (!) minutes per game.
Now, the plan is to return to Milwaukee and to rest so that he can be even better in the new season in the NBA. Concerning the national team, there will be many and even bigger opportunities in the future!
Nicolas Batum (France)
Appearances: 77
Playing time: 34 minutes
After 8 years of uninterrupted contribution to the national team of France, Nicolas Batum decided to take a few breathers this summer, ahead of the demanding season that is coming up in the NBA. The French forward and Tony Parker are the biggest losses for the Tricolour, since in the last three EuroBaskets they won the bronze, gold and silver medal respectively.
Batum, who is also trying to overcome a minor injury, played in 77 games with the Hornets and was on the court for more than 34 minutes per game, while the situation could have been even worse if his team had qualified for the playoffs.