NBA news: The FIBA World Cup is now less than a month away. However, the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo still remains up in the air as the Milwaukee Bucks superstar continues to nurse a knee injury that required surgery after the end of the NBA season.
Greece national team coach Dimitris Itoudis has now provided a timely update on the status of Antetokounmpo, and it sounds like we’re going to hear an official statement in the near future.
NBA News: Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Making an Effort’ to Be Ready for World Cup
![NBA News: Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo on Brink of 'Final Decision' on FIBA World Cup 1 Jan 6, 2020; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts to an injury after a San Antonio Spurs score in the fourth quarter at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Spillman-USA TODAY Sports NBA news](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/USATSI_13881141_168400517_lowres-e1688027324910-901x600.jpg)
Speaking to the press after Monday’s practice, the biggest question Itoudis faced was, of course, the injury status of Antetokounmpo. Unfortunately, the coach was unable to provide a substantial update:
“That should be addressed to our doctor and the doctors of the Bucks. The information is that he is making an effort, and he will be reevaluated shortly, and we will have a final decision on whether he will make it or not,” Itoudis said, via EuroHoops.
That final decision has to be coming soon. The World Cup officially tips off on August 25, which is now just a little over three weeks away.
It’s going to be the Bucks who will likely have the final say on this decision. Giannis is as tough a competitor as they come, and if it were up to him, he would probably want to play through whatever injury he may be dealing with in order to represent Greece in the prestigious tournament. However, Milwaukee’s medical team may need to step in and tell him otherwise.
NBA News: Greece Coach Speaks Out on Injuries to Key Players
![NBA News: Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo on Brink of 'Final Decision' on FIBA World Cup 2 Apr 26, 2023; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) sits on the bench after a 128-126 loss to the Miami Heat during game five of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports (NBA Rumors)](https://wisportsheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/USATSI_20546617_168400517_lowres-944x600.jpg)
If Giannis Antetokounmpo is forced to miss the World Cup, he won’t be Greece’s only casualty. A handful of key players have already withdrawn from the squad ahead of the international tournament — a major development that Itoudis also addressed on Monday:
“There were athletes who discussed with me; they informed us about the reasons why they can’t be here,” Itoudis said. “Kostas Sloukas, Nick Calathes, Leonidas Kaselakis, and Tyler Dorsey. The common denominator was that some of them were hindered by injuries, making it a hypothetical question as to whether they would be available. We are not in the fortunate position to have all of them. We adapted, and the present players show eagerness in training; they are the first mirror for us. The friendly matches serve as the second mirror, the coordination, the duos, and those coming from the bench. The zeal is here, and I have no complaints. Some may not see talent in our eyes, but it’s a challenge for us to build our identity through these friendlies.“
Missing some of their most important players will obviously decrease Greece’s chances of succeeding in the World Cup. Ultimately, this will likely be a significant factor in the final decision on Giannis’ status for the tournament.
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