By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst commented on the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo ahead of the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the aftermath of a recent knee procedure that has rendered the Greek Freak questionable to play in the tournament.
“When it comes to our players’ health we always work collaboratively with the player, his representative, and our performance staff to make the best decision possible,” Horst, said to The Athletic. “In the case of national team play, we work with our partners in those federations also. No decision has been made on whether Giannis will be with the Greek national team this summer.”
Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said that the operation “went great” and that he expects Giannis to be ready when training camp begins.
Antetokounmpo underwent a procedure to clean up loose cartilage in his left knee and it’s quite uncertain if he will manage to join the Greek national team in the upcoming World Championship. The competition starts on August 25 and Greece plays in Group C that’s held in Pasay, Philippines, together with Team USA, New Zealand and Jordan.
A potential Antetokounmpo absence will leave Greece without another major contributor since star guard Kostas Sloukas will skip the World Cup to rest this summer.
In the 2022 EuroBasket, Antetokounmpo had 29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists as Greece made it to the quarterfinals where it was eliminated by host Germany.