NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo drops out of FIBA World Cup to continue recovery from knee surgery

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Two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will not represent his native country Greece at this year's FIBA Basketball World Cup tournament, which tips off later this month.

The Milwaukee Bucks star had minor surgery on his left knee earlier this summer. On Friday, he revealed that he would not be able to play in the World Cup given the state of his physical condition. 

Antetokounmpo, who was born in Athens, said that his medical team also advised him not to compete. The Greek national basketball team is scheduled to play the U.S., Jordan and New Zealand in group-stage games in Manila, Philippines, in the tournament, which starts Aug. 25 in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo sits on the bench after a loss to the Miami Heat at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on April 26, 2023. (Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports)

"Everyone knows my passion and love for my national team has and never will change," Antetokounmpo said in a statement Friday. 

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The seven-time All-Star also said that his rehab process has been underway since the Bucks' season came to an end. 

"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," he said.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the