By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
From retiring to competing once more in international tournaments as part of Bulgaria’s squad, Dee Bost revealed talks with the Bulgarian Basketball Federation, BFB, regarding a potential return.
Bost, 33, declared himself retired at the international level after averaging 14.0 points, 8.4 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per contest in the 2022 EuroBasket. His latest showing as the naturalized player on the senior national team of Bulgaria amounted to a 1-4 record in Group A of the preliminary round. Earlier international experience stretches back to the 2017 EuroBasket Qualifiers to the 2019 and 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“I think, especially in the preseason, I started pretty slow, terrible actually. But my body was tired. It was part of playing in the EuroBasket and then coming here. I was tired but it’s not an excuse. But now, I am starting to feel a lot better,” the North Carolina-born point guard told Turkish outlet beIN Sports weighing in on his start to the 2022-23 season at the club level with Basketball Champions League outfit Galatasaray Nef.
“I actually retired from the national team,” he confirmed before opening up on potentially playing for Bulgaria in future FIBA fixtures, “But I have been considering playing again, actually. The last two weeks, I have actually been talking to them, maybe considering coming out of retirement to play. I am actually considering playing again.”
Knocked out of contention for a berth in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Bulgaria is scheduled to visit Romania and host Portugal hoping to strengthen the bid for a spot in the 2025 EuroBasket during the next international window in February.
Banking in 13.3 points, 5.8 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game over six appearances in his fourth BCL campaign, Bost has been among the key contributors for the team coached by Andreas Pistiolis. Helping in winning Group C, his side advanced to the Round of 16. At the domestic level, the Lions have progressed to 7-5 in Turkey’s BSL.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL