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Brian Windhorst, ESPN Senior Writer
Giannis Antetokounmpo announced Friday he will be unable to compete for Greece in the upcoming FIBA World Cup as he continues to recover from an offseason knee surgery.
“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,” Antetokounmpo said on his Twitter account. “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.”
The Greek national team had already termed Antetokounmpo’s participation as doubtful after he missed the team’s training camp and its first several exhibition games. But there was some hope kept alive that the two-time MVP might get clearance after a scheduled return to the United States this week for follow up meetings with doctors.
The outcome impacts Team USA, who were drawn into the same pool as Greece at the World Cup and the countries that will play Aug. 28 in Manila, Philippines. Greece famously upset the Americans at the 2006 World Cup in Japan. Team USA and Greece are also scheduled to play a warmup game next week in Abu Dhabi.
The Milwaukee Bucks announced last month that Antetokounmpo underwent a procedure on his left knee to clean up loose cartilage. The Bucks, who were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat in April, didn’t specify exactly when Antetokounmpo had the operation. But the superstar made it known he tried to find a way to be ready to play in the World Cup.
“Everyone knows my passion and love for my National Team has (sic) and never will change,” Antetokounmpo wrote. “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.”
The prize many teams in the World Cup are chasing are the valuable Olympic berths for next year in Paris. A total of seven will be awarded based on World Cup performance with an eighth spot automatically going to the host nation, France. The other four spots will be determined by qualifying tournaments next summer.
Greece didn’t qualify for the Tokyo Olympics and Antetokounmpo has never competed on that vaunted stage.
“I’m going to continue to push myself to be ready for the next time my name is called,” Antetokounmpo said. “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.”