Porziņģis puts country first

Take note – story published 6 years ago

Latvia's superstar basketball player, Kristaps Porziņģis, proved he's a patriot at heart April 24 by confirming his availability for the national team.

At an announcement in his home town, Liepaja, the New York Knicks star confirmed he will be available for selection in the national team that will compete in the Eurobasket competition, a move that may cause some controversy among fans of the club to whom he is contracted.

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The Eurobasket finals are due to take place August 31 to September 17. The Latvian national team's group round will be played in Istanbul, together with Serbia, Turkey, Russia, Belgium and Great Britain.

"The main thing is to be hungry for success and bring all my strength onto the court," the young legend said, according to LSM's sports department.

Over the summer Porziņģis said he will work to improve his physical fitness, adding more muscle mass and stability. To that end he said he hoped to work with Latvia's world cruiserweight boxing champion Mairis Briedis.

Porziņģis hefy insurance bill will be paid for by the Latvian national team, but the man known to many as 'Porzee' said he did not expect that to cause any difficulties.

He skirted around reports of troubles within the New York Knicks' camp, saying only he hoped they would be sorted out, and declined to say where he would play next season.

Last year Porziņģis opted to forego the national team in order to concentrate on his training - which paid spectacular dividends with his club performances, making him one of the biggest stars in the NBA.

But now he's back, and his presence is sure to make demand for tickets sky high.

 

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