Giannis Antetokounmpo announces he won't play in upcoming FIBA World Cup for Greece

Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo announced Friday morning that he's bowing out of the FIBA World Cup and will not suit up for his native Greece in the showcase that begins later this month.

In July, it was revealed that Antetokounmpo underwent knee surgery following the 2022-23 season, putting his status for the FIBA tournament in doubt. He's expected to be available by the start of the NBA season.

"Everyone knows my passion and love for my National Team has and never will change," Antetokounmpo wrote on social media. "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.

"This was not a choice but my only option in ensuring I get back to the level of basketball I have worked so hard to achieve so far in my career. I am extremely disappointed in this outcome but this was a decision made with the medical staff. I’m going to continue to push myself to be ready for the next time my name is called. My personal, and our ultimate team goal is to qualify for the 2024 Olympics games and it will be an honor to represent my National Team next year."

The event runs every four years and was last held in 2019. Greece does have some history of success in the competition, finishing runnerup to Spain in 2006 after a stunning win over the United States (a team with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony) in the semifinals. Greece took fourth in 1994 and 1998.

Brother Thanasis Antetokounmpo is still part of the Greece roster. The brothers were both part of the 2019 team that lost in the second round of pool play and part of the 2022 EuroBasket team last year that lost in the quarterfinals. Giannis was ejected from that game.

The World Cup begins Aug. 25. The Antetokounmpos' Bucks teammate, Bobby Portis, will play for Team USA, as will Wisconsin native Tyrese Haliburton.

Joe Ingles, who played for the Bucks last year, will suit up for Australia, as will former Bucks two-way player Sandro Mamukelashvili for Georgia.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Giannis Antetokounmpo announces he won't play in FIBA World Cup