Markanen misses qualifying for the Olympic Games

Utah basketball player injured his shoulder

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Lauri Markanen, Photo: FIBA
Lauri Markanen, Photo: FIBA
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The Finnish national basketball team will be without its biggest star - Lauri Markanen - in the qualification for the Olympic Games.

Markanen injured his right shoulder and will not travel with the team to Valencia for the qualifying tournament.

"I had a long season. I thought I would be able to recover, but the doctors told me that I can only go on the field in August," said Markanen.

Markanen played 55 games for Utah this season. He averaged 23,2 points and 8,2 rebounds.

"This is a difficult decision. It is an honor for me to play for the national team. During the season, I talked with my teammates, we were thinking how nice it would be to play at the Olympic Games," said Markanen.

Finland is in the qualifying tournament in a group with Poland and the Bahamas. Spain, Lebanon and Angola are the hosts in the second group.

Qualification for the Olympic Games is scheduled from July 2 to 7.

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