By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Officially reacting to recent reports concerning Kristaps Porzingis dealing with a foot injury, the Latvian Basketball Association stressed both individual and team preparation plans as being in progress, aiming for the player to participate in the approaching 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Porzingis, 28, missing the two first exhibition games for the team coached by Italian mastermind Luca Banchi stirred the rumors about possibly also eventually missing the World Cup. However, the LBS denied the reports with a post shared on the official Twitter account of the Association Thursday.
Despite lacking the star power expected to be provided by Porzingis over the next few weeks, Latvia defeated both Sweden in Liepaja and Georgia in Riga at the top of the schedule of friendly games. With the experienced forward questionable to play, coming up will be the Dominican Republic visiting Arena Riga Saturday and Finland following in the same venue Wednesday. Traveling to Chinese Taipei, Banchi’s side will take on Puerto Rico on 20 August and Lithuania on 22 August.
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Dairis Bertans, Davis Bertans, Klavs Cavars, Andrejs Grazulis, Arturs Kurucs, Rodions Kurucs, Toms Leimanis, Mareks Mejeris, Anzejs Pasecniks, Aigars Skele, Rolands Smits, Arturs Strautins, Janis Timma, Arturs Zagars, and Kristers Zoriks are the remaining players in the running for a spot among the 12 final selections as Latvia will participate for the first time in the World Cup.
Landing in Jakarta and switching to official action, Latvia will face Lebanon, France, and Canada in Group H of the preliminary round.