From the era it used to be introduced Giannis Antetokounmpo had his knee “cleaned up” in an offseason surgical operation, his participation for Greece within the International Cup used to be in uncertainty. Nonetheless, the door remained cracked revealed as a result of Antetokounmpo sought after it — if he may play games, he would.

Friday, Antetokounmpo admitted he couldn’t.

“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. But 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.”

Presen dreadful for Greece and the match as an entire, this can be a crack for Crew USA, who will face Greece within the workforce play games degree of the International Cup (in conjunction with Fresh Zealand and Jordan in Team C).

Antetokounmpo joins an extended checklist of supremacy NBA stars no longer taking part on this generation’s International Cup. Nikola Jokić is taking the summer season off from the Serbian staff later eminent the Nuggets to an NBA identify. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid won’t play games this summer season (and has to choose from the United States or France for the 2024 Paris Olympics). Lots of the supremacy American skills aren’t suiting up for the United States this summer season (however may for Paris): Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, and that checklist is going on and
on.

The International Cup guidelines off on Aug. 25 and can be performed throughout Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines.