By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The biggest challenge in the history of the Georgia senior national team will feature the top players of the country.
Heading to the 2023 FIBA World Cup and the first appearance in FIBA’s flagship event, the Georgian Basketball Federation announced the 18 players making the preliminary list. Twelve will fit in the final squad for head coach Ilias Zouros.
Arguably the best out of Georgia, Tornike Shengelia and Giorgi Shermadini were among the selections. They are projected as the heavy hitters for the major international tournament.
Shengelia, 31, is the headliner carrying experience from five editions of EuroBasket and additional caps across numerous Qualifiers, opting to represent his country even in extremely demanding scheduling situations.
Shermadini, 34, made his way to eight EuroBasket settings since 2007, before finally reaching the World Cup stage alongside numerous longtime teammates.
Naturalized Thad McFadden is coming back following the 2022 EuroBasket. A couple of NBA players, Goga Bitadze and Sandro Mamukelashvili shape other highlights along with experienced shooting guard Duda Sanadze and former Creighton point guard Rati Andronikashvili.
On the maximum potential of Georgian basketball, players the likes of Beka Bekauri, Mikheil Berishvili, Merab Bokolishvili, Nikoloz Gaprindashvili, Levan Gogichaishvili, Kakhaber Jintcharadze, Davit Kakushadze, Giorgi Korsantia, Luka Liklikadze, Giorgi Tsintsadze, and Giorgi Turdziladze are the remaining call-ups.
Georgia will compete in Okinawa Arena against Group F rivals Cape Verde, Slovenia, and Venezuela with the top two teams moving to the second round and the bottom two limited to classification games to rank between 17th and 32nd.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL