When Greece takes the court for the 2023 FIBA World Cup, it will do so without Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The Milwaukee Bucks forward announced on social media that he and the medical staff decided he is not yet ready to compete, but has his eyes on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
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“Everyone knows my passion and love for my National Team has and never will change. Since the conclusion of my NBA season I have been pushing my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set,” Antetokounmpo posted on X. “But after months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff it is clear that i am not ready to compete in the level that I need to be to participate in the World Cup. This was not a choice but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career.
“I am extremely disappointed in this outcome but this was a decision made with the medical staff,” he added. “I’m going to continue to push myself to be ready for the next time my name is called. My personal, and our ultimate team goal is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics games and it will be an honor to represent my National Team next year.”
Antetokounmpo underwent a “cleanup procedure” on his knee in the offseason, which always left his status up in the air for the World Cup. The Bucks expect the 28-year-old to be fully recovered and ready for the 2023-24 NBA season.
The knee Antetokounmpo underwent the procedure on gave him some trouble throughout the 2022-23 season. Left knee soreness caused him to miss a slew of games for the Bucks, but he still played in 63 games where he averaged 31.1 points, 11.8 rebounds and 5.7.
The Bucks finished the regular season with an NBA-best 58-24, but were bounced from the playoffs by the Miami Heat. Antetokounmpo suffered a back injury in Game 1 and didn’t return until Game 4.
