By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Valencia guard Klemen Prepelic returned from a long injury absence as his Slovenian national team tipped off its preparation games ahead of the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers and the 2022 EuroBasket by beating the Netherlands 83 – 76.
Prepelic finished with 11 points and five rebounds in 17 minutes while Ziga Dimec had 12 points plus six rebounds for Slovenia. Luka Doncic, Goran Dragic, and Mike Tobey weren’t included on the team’s 12-man squad.
Worthy De Jong led the Dutch side with 26 points.
It was Prepelic’s first game since March and after he underwent season-ending surgery to repair a broken arm. The 29-year-old player was initially questionable for Slovenia’s summer tournaments but his rehabilitation progressed better than expected and he managed to join his national team in the quest to defend the EuroBasket crown.
Prepelic was a key contributor for Slovenia in the 2017 EuroBasket, averaging 13.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists to help his team win the gold medal.
In another preparation game held Thursday, Lithuania defeated Estonia 84 – 70 behind 15 points by Martynas Echodas. Kristianas Kullamae had 15 points for Estonia.
Also, Belgium prevailed over Finland (75-71) thanks to Emmanuel Lecomte scoring 18 points.