Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to star for the Greek national team at the upcoming EuroBasket tournament, but the budding superstar announced on Saturday that he will be unable to compete, due to a knee injury.
Antetokounmpo suffered the injury during a practice overseas two weeks ago. While MRI tests came back negative and the injury isn’t considered serious, the discomfort has not subsided enough and after being put through tests by the Bucks while on an NBA trip to China, Giannis has been ruled out for the tournament.
He posted a heartfelt message on Facebook, as translated by Euro Hoops, noting his disappointment in not being able to play and apologizing to the Greek fans.
I want everyone to be informed by me that I will not be able to play for the Greek national team in the upcoming Eurobasket. All this time I was pressuring myself to practice. I was trying to fool myself and not feel the pain, hoping that I will be ready for the official games. My will affected my judgement, but in the tests I took here in China with the Bucks personnel, it was time for the truth.
I failed in the tests I was put to and the reason was the pain I felt from the first seconds. I can accept the truth and deal with it in a mature manner. I have to work and improve as much as I can the condition of my knee.
Last summer I had the option to “freeze” the deal for my contract extension. This year I have no choice. I am injured, I feel pain and I must heal.
This is by far the biggest disappointment that I have felt until now in my career. I want to wish the best from the bottom of my heart to my teammates and coaches. The national team is my favorite team and in the future I will prove together with my teammates that we can achieve high goals and make all Greeks happy.
However, for now the present is the priority. I urge the fans to not give bigger proportions to my absense and to concentrate on the players who will fight in the upcoming Eurobasket for a success that has been missing for years. History is written by those who are present and I have with great sorrow to accept and announce that I will be absent.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
It’s a bummer for Antetokounmpo, who was hoping to lead Greece deep in the tournament, but the Bucks weren’t ready to clear him to play and risk further injury with training camp on the horizon as Milwaukee looks to make the jump into being a top contender in the East.
