Chekovski not available for MKD

SKOPJE (EuroBasket 2015) - The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (MKD) cannot call on Gjorgji Chekovski this summer when they play at EuroBasket 2015.

Chekovski, who turns 36 in December, has been a part of the national team for the past 17 years, including 15 at senior level.

He will be forever remembered as a member of the MKD side that stunned hosts Lithuania in the Quarter-Finals of EuroBasket 2011.

Chekovski played at EuroBasket 2013 in Slovenia but did not participate last summer when MKD qualified for this year's tournament.

As a former captain of the national team, I have witnessed his level of commitment. - Naumoski

"We regret that Chekovski will not help us, as we hoped to have all available forces at EuroBasket 2015," said Petar Naumoski, the recently-elected president of the country's basketball federation.

"As the president of the federation, I would like to express our appreciation for his [Chekovski's] contribution during the 15 years he spent in a national team uniform."

MKD will play in Group C at EuroBasket 2015 against Croatia, Georgia, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Greece.

The teams that reach the Final will clinch places in the Rio de Janeiro Games.

The sides that end up third, fourth, fifth and sixth will earn invitations to the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Go to eurobasket2015.org for more coverage of EuroBasket 2015.

FIBA