Serbia lose another star, as injury forces Teodosic out for EuroBasket

BELGRADE (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - The hope of seeing Milos Teodosic suit up for Serbia this summer can be put to rest after the Serbian Basketball Federation announced the long-time captain of the national team will not be available for FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

The 30-year-old virtuoso playmaker, who has been dealing with a calf injury, has been ruled out after cross-continent consultation between the staff of the Serbian national team and the player's new club the Los Angeles Clippers.

"He is a player who has been devoted to the national team for years and his desire to play has always been great. Unfortunately, desire is not enough in itself. This is a big loss for the team, but we will continue forward with the same ambitions," said the head coach of the national team Aleksandar Djordjevic.

"Unfortunately, the injury that is bothering Teo will not allow him to be fully prepared for EuroBasket. We have to take care of the health of our players and we have made a joint decision with the Clippers that Teodosic should skip the upcoming event."

The news comes just a couple of days after center Miroslav Raduljica was knocked out of the squad by a knee injury, adding to a growing list of notable absentees for Serbia that includes Nikola Jokic, Nemanja Bjelica and Vladimir Micov.

There are also some question marks regarding point guard Nemanja Nedovic, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, but is progressing well and should join the national team in the Acropolis Cup in Athens in a couple of days.

Serbia will begin their FIBA EuroBasket 2017 campaign in Istanbul, having been drawn to Group D alongside Belgium, Great Britain, Latvia, Russia and the tournament hosts Turkey.

FIBA