One San Antonio Spurs star will have to miss EuroBasket 2025 after the NBA side fought with his national team to bring him back.
With official NBA basketball still over two months away, NBA players are looking to test themselves by playing some competitive basketball.
For players in Europe, they are focused on the 2025 EuroBasket tournament. Several NBA players will represent their home countries to see who can come out on top as the best of the best.
So far, the warm-up games ahead of the tournament have been quite interesting. Luka Doncic impressed fans during his Slovenia outing.
Similarly, Nikola Jokic was equally impressive while leading Serbia. Unfortunately, one European NBA star will miss the tournament. And it’s because the San Antonio Spurs insisted he return.
Photo by Marcin Golba/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSan Antonio Spurs pull Jeremy Sochan from Polish national team
Jeremy Sochan of the San Antonio Spurs will no longer take part in EuroBasket 2025. The Polish forward suffered a calf injury, and the Spurs wanted to proceed with caution.
According to Polish journalist Lukasz Ceglinski, the Spurs and the Polish national team were butting heads on the matter, with Sochan desperately trying to get healthy for the tournament.
“I’m very disappointed, but due to a calf injury, I unfortunately won’t be able to play for Poland at EuroBasket.
“I’ve been working hard for this over the past few months, and the time I spent training and playing with the national team has been incredible.
“Doctors predict I’ll be fully recovered by the start of training camp for the upcoming NBA season.” (Via BasketNews)
Jeremy Sochan better off rehabbing in the USA, says team official
According to San Antonio Spurs GM Brian Wright, they coordinated with the Polish national team and agreed that Jeremy Sochan should recover in San Antonio.
“Due to his injury, Jeremy received professional help in Poland. The cooperation with the national team staff and management has always been exemplary. However, in this situation, the best option is for Jeremy to return to San Antonio.”
While fans of the Polish team will be upset at the Spurs making this decision, it is in the best interest of Sochan and his future.
A calf strain is a very risky injury, as we saw this season. Oftentimes, it can lead to a far more severe injury like an Achilles tear.
Both Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton dealt with calf strains right before their respective Achilles injuries.
So the Spurs are right to bring Sochan back and make him do his rehab in a slow and safe environment, without any pressure.