2023-08-26 08:05:41
Basketball fans get their money’s worth!
You can look forward to numerous top stars at the World Championships in Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines (25 August to 10 September). Luka Doncic (24/Slovenia), Rudy Gobert (31/France) and Dennis Schröder (29) are just a few of the internationally well-known faces.
However, some superstars had to cancel their participation.
Greece is missing a top star
At the World Cup, Greece will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo (28). For the NBAMilwaukee Bucks pro comes early to tournament after knee surgery The two-time NBA MVP writes on Instagram
“Everyone knows that my passion and love for my national team has never changed and never will. […] After months of work and several meetings with medical staff, it’s clear that I’m not ready to compete at the level I need to be to compete in the World Cup. It wasn’t a choice, it was my only way to ensure I got back to the level of basketball I’ve worked so hard to achieve in my career so far. I am extremely disappointed with this result, but this decision was made together with the medical staff.”
This is where you will find content from Instagram
In order to interact with or display content from Instagram and other social networks, we need your consent.
activate social networks
Serbia without Nikola Jokic
Denver’s Nikola Jokic (28) won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics with Serbia. After his glorious NBA season (championship and Finals MVP), Jokic will pass at the World Cup.
Why is Jokic absent? “We had a lot of conversations with him,” says national coach Svetislav Pesic (73). “He’s burned out and doesn’t feel able to take on the responsibility in the team that’s expected of him.”
Bitter for Serbia fans. In addition to Jokic, the national team also has to do without the NBA professionals Vasilije Micic (29 / Oklahoma), Aleksej Pokusevski (21 / Oklahoma) and Boban Marjanovic (35 / Houston).
Jamal Murray withdraws due to injury
Canadian Jamal Murray (26) won the NBA title with the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic’s team-mate will also not play for his country at the Basketball World Cup.
“After consulting the medical staff and team, it is clear that I need further recovery. I made the difficult decision not to compete in the tournament,” Murray told the Basketball Canada Association.
Murray isn’t the only Canadian NBA pro missing from the World Cup. Cory Joseph (32/Golden State Warriors), Andrew Wiggins (28/Golden State Warriors), Oshae Brissett (25/Boston Celtics), Chris Boucher (30/Toronto Raptors), Brandon Clarke (26/Memphis Grizzlies), Bennedict Mathurin ( 21 / Indiana Pacers), Andrew Nembhard (23 / Indiana Pacers) and Shaedon Sharpe (20 / Portland Trail Blazers) are looking for NBA fans in vain.
also read
No World Championship for youngster Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama (19) was picked first in the NBA draft by the San Antonio Spurs. His home country France will miss the exceptional talent at the World Cup. The reason: Wembanyama wants to focus on the new NBA season.
As the French newspaper “L’Equipe” reports, the Frenchman is said to have made it clear when he canceled that the Spurs gave him free choice to participate in the tournament. The basket for participation was his own decision. Regarding the waiver, he said, “I think it’s a necessary sacrifice.”
In addition to Wembanyama, NBA spectators also miss Killian Hayes (22/Detroit), Ousmane Dieng (20/Oklahoma) and Frank Ntilikina (25/Charlotte) in the France squad.
Germany without Maxi Kleber and Isaiah Hartenstein
Maximilian Kleber (31) from the Dallas Mavericks is not in the squad of national coach Gordon Herbert (64).
In the basketball podcast “Got Nexxt” with Dre Voigt, the captain of the German national team, Dennis Schröder, talked about adhesives. In the July 14 episode, he criticized Kleber’s attitude and that he missed the European Championships last year: “Not to step on Maxi’s toes, but Maxi wasn’t there last year. If you haven’t committed yourself […] then you won’t be there next year either.”
Even with NBA professional Isiah Hartenstein (25) it was not enough for the World Cup squad. The New York Knicks center had shown little motivation to play for Germany in recent years.
also read
Injury absent for Latvia star
Kristaps Porzingis (28/Boston) also misses the World Cup. After consultation with the medical teams of the Boston Celtics and the Latvian national team, the decision has been made. The reason: a foot injury.
These NBA professionals are also absent from the World Cup:
Australia: Ben Simmons (Brooklyn), Jock Landale (Houston), and Matthew Dellavedova (Sacramento) Slovenia: Goran Dragic (Milwaukee) and Vlatko Cancar (Denver) Dominican Republic: Chris Duarte (Sacramento) and Al Horford (Boston) Puerto Rico: Jose Alvarado (New Orleans)Japan: Rui Hachimura (Los Angeles)New Zealand: Steven Adams (Memphis)Italy: Danilo Gallinari (Washington)Spain: Ricky Rubio (Cleveland)Lithuania: Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento)Mexico: Juan Toscano-Anderson (Utah )
1693058886
#Basketball #World #Cup #stars #Jokic #Kleber #Sports