Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will miss Eurobasket with a knee injury, according to a statement released on Facebook.
Antetokounmpo was slated to play in the tournament for his home nation of Greece. He will still travel to China to attend the tournament.
Here was the Greek Freak's full statement:
I want everyone to be informed of me that I won't be able to boost our national basketball team. All this time I've been pushing myself to practice. I'm trying to fool him. I'm not in a lot of pain and I'll be ready for games. My will has influenced my judgment, but on the test I made here in China with the bucks, it was time of truth.
I failed to successfully achieve the exercises I was subjected to and the pain stopped me from the first seconds. I have to accept the truth and face her mature. I have to work and improve as much as I can, the problem I'm facing on my knee.
Last year I had the option to freeze the deal for my new contract. This year I have no choice. I'm injured, the pains haven't subsided, and I have to get better.
It's the biggest disappointment I've ever felt in my career. I want through my heart to wish all my teammates and coaches good luck. The National Team is my favorite team, and in the future I will prove that along with my teammates we can take her up and make all the Greeks happy.
But now it's the present. I ask the world not to give my absence a greater dimension than the real one and focus on the children who will fight for a success that we have been lacking for years. The story has always been written, and I have great sorrow to accept and announce that I will be absent.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
This is an unfortunate hiccup for Antetokounmpo after coming off a breakout season with the Bucks last season. It seems his long-term health may not be a huge factor and that he can hopefully return by the start of the regular season in mid-October.
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