Porzingis proud to be flag-bearer for Latvia and hometown Liepaja

ISTANBUL (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Kristaps Porzingis has finally arrived in international basketball, bringing with him something the European game might have never seen before from a player of his size.

The play of the 7ft 3in (2.21m) big man has been nothing short of spectacular in the Group Phase, with stellar two-way performances, breathtaking highlights and fans wearing unicorn masks in the stands being the defining features of his senior debut with Latvia at FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

"I'm a proud Latvian, I'm proud where I come from. And I'm proud to represent my country in a tournament this big."Kristaps PorzingisKristaps Porzingis

It has been a long time coming, but the delayed senior debut for Latvia has certainly not been for a lack of patriotism on the part of Porzingis. One of the most exciting up-and-coming players in the NBA, the 22-year-old from the New York Knicks has always paid tribute to his roots.

"I'm a proud Latvian, I'm proud of where I come from. And I'm proud to represent my country in a tournament this big," Porzingis told FIBA.basketball.

"It's all going to be about the team, it's about the three stars that we're wearing on our chest and nothing else really matters. No individual awards, nothing like that. We want to go out there and play team basketball and go as far as we can in the tournament."

Himself from Liepaja, Porzingis has been putting his hometown on the map as a member of the Knicks in the NBA and is now representing the place he holds so dear on the international level.

"It's really unbelievable that all these players are from different towns, different cities. It's really special that we have basketball players coming out of every part of the country."Kristaps PorzingisKristaps Porzingis

"That is very special. Not just playing with the national team, but also being able to represent Liepaja while I'm playing in the States, while I'm playing for New York. A lot of people are finding out about Liepaja because of that. I am really proud to be from there and I say that in every interview," he explains.

Porzingis is not the only flag-bearer for his hometown on the team, with 11 different towns and cities represented on the Latvian roster – from Janis Timma in Kraslava in the southeast to the Bertans brothers up north in Rujiena. Not bad, considering Latvia is only 24,938 mi² - roughly the same size as West Virginia, and with a population of less than two million.

"It's really unbelievable that all these players are from different towns, different cities. It's really special that we have basketball players coming out of every part of the country," Porzingis said.

In spite of spending the last six years away from home, first in Spain and now across the pond in New York, Porzingis has made it a habit to come back to Liepaja for the summer months. This summer was no exception.

"I love working out there, just because I can spend time with my family. I think we have one of the best facilities at the Liepaja Olympic Center. I have everything I need over there – the court is always in perfect condition, weight room, swimming pool. I think that's the perfect environment for you to get better. That's why after the season I wanted to get out of New York and just focus on getting better and stronger."

The last time Porzingis suited up for his country was actually at the FIBA U18 European Championship 2013 in Liepaja, with Latvia falling short of the podium by the closest of margins.

"It was very special that the tournament was happening in Latvia," Porzingis recalled. "Obviously, it did not end the way we wanted to. We wanted to get the bronze medal in the last game against Spain. We were up, but they hit a crazy step-back three-pointer to win the game. That was really tough. That feeling is still burning inside. So if we have a chance to go as far in this tournament, hopefully, we can do big things."

Having qualified for the Final Phase of FIBA EuroBasket, Latvia and Kristaps Porzingis will be heading into the Round of 16 with their sights set on going as far as possible in the knock-out stages, after proving their credentials in the Group Phase.

FIBA