By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Greek international center George Papagiannis might not be able to join his country’s national team for the two games of the June-July window of the World Cup Qualifiers due to his commitments with the Portland Trail Blazers.
“There are some obligations I’ll have in the NBA Summer League,” Papagiannis told Eurohoops. “These obligations come first but if I find a gap and I’ll be available, I’ll be there.”
With two matches remaining for the completion of the first phase, the Greek national team is at the top of Group H with a 4 – 0 record. Their upcoming road games vs. Israel (June 28) and Estonia (July 6) are important since the first-round results are carried to the next stage of the Qualifiers.
Papagiannis will be busy with the Blazers, since there’s a lot of work to be done ahead of and during the Summer League (July 6 – 17). After all, he’s also quite eager to show the club they were right to put the trust in him when they signed him to a two-year contract in April following a 10-day deal.
“I’m very happy being in this team,” Papagiannis said. “I gave my best self in practices during the 10 days of my initial contract. The GM and the head coach trusted me and I thank them. It’s very important for every player to be on a playoff team.”
“Unfortunately we didn’t manage to make it past the first round. New Orleans played really well,” he added.
Papagiannis was training hard individually in order to be 100% ready for the next destination of his career after the Sacramento Kings waived him back in February. While the Greek player felt he didn’t receive the opportunities he deserved with the team that selected him with the 13th overall pick in the 2016 Draft, being waived wasn’t a particular extra motivation for him.
“On this level, you are a professional. Anything can happen. Everyone moves on. And I moved on. There’s not an extra motivation (being waived). There’s always a motivation for me and it’s proving to myself, first and foremost, that I can get better and better.”
Our talk with Papagiannis took place shortly after he presented Lithuanian NBA Draft prospect Arnoldas Kulboka of Orlandina Basket with the Basketball Champions League 2017-2018 “Best Young Player” award. It was the first time he was chosen to hand an award to another player, so it felt special.
“I’m very proud to give an award to another young player. A player that got distinguished in the Basketball Champions League. It’s also very important for me considering how young I am. I’ve heard that he (Kulboka) can get at a high level. I wish him the best, good luck and be healthy.”