The Greeks started their warm-up plans Monday before marching to this year’s FIBA Basketball World Cup, but they didn’t have three key players on their official preliminary roster yet.
Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, alongside his brothers in Thanasis and Kostas, was absent from the first team practice of Greece in preparation for the World Cup. Still, national coach Dimitris Itoudis is keeping his optimism high about the Antetokounmpo brothers’ availability, especially on the side of Giannis.
“We have the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, at least from the first call, because he has had an operation which will take time. We’ll obviously be watching his recovery with the Bucks, where he belongs, to see how he does. Undoubtedly, his will is to help the National team, he has proven it in practice. Kostas Antetokounmpo also had an operation and we believe that in 10 days we will have a clearer picture. Thanasis Antetokounmpo is in free agency, he will be with us from tomorrow and we will see what his path will be,” Itoudis said, via EuroHoops.
Giannis’ availability for the World Cup has been placed in jeopardy after it was reported that he is uncertain to play upon undergoing a knee clean-up earlier this NBA offseason. Still, the Bucks franchise cleared speculations and made it known that there’s no final decision being made yet if the two-time MVP will indeed skip the event.
The All-Star big man continues to enjoy his summer break as he remains on tour in China for his Nike partnership.
Greece, who were drawn in Group C of the World Cup, will face the United States, New Zealand, and Jordan in Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena.
