This is obviously a very hard blow for Greece, which will face the United States in the group stage of the next World Cup in Japan and the Philippines (August 25-September 10) but the withdrawal announced this Friday by Giannis Antetokounmpo on his social networks is no surprise. Since the beginning of the preparation, the “Greek Freak”, operated on the knee just after the play-offs, had not participated in any training.
While Greece lost at home to Serbia and Italy at the Acropolis Tournament, the Milwaukee Bucks star returned to the United States to have his knee checked, before traveling with his family to Nigeria, the country of origin of his family.
“I am not ready to be competitive at the level necessary for the World Cup”
“Everyone knows that my passion and my love for my national team has and will never change,” said Antetokounmpo. Since the end of my NBA season, I have pushed my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help my team achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. But after months of work and several appointments with the medical staff, it is clear that I am not ready to compete at the level necessary for the World Cup. It was not a choice but my only option to be sure to return to the level of basketball that I reached by working so hard during my career. I am extremely disappointed with this conclusion. »
Goal 2024 Olympics
Giannis Antetokounmpo had played in the previous edition of the World Cup (14.8 points and 8.8 rebounds) which saw Greece fail to reach the quarter-finals. The MVP of the 2021 NBA Finals was also there last summer at the Euro where his XXL statistics (29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.7 average assists) were not enough either. the selection led by Dimitris Itoudis, eliminated in the quarterfinals by Germany (94-107) in Berlin.
“My ultimate goal and that of our team is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics and it will be an honor to represent it next year,” concluded the interior of Milwaukee. But the qualification for the Paris Games could be played without him. To obtain a direct ticket, Greece must finish in the two best European nations – excluding the France team – at the World Cup. Otherwise, it will be necessary to play a qualifying tournament (TQO) in June 2024 where Antetokounmpo may not be present if Milwaukee is still in the play-offs.
