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Kristaps Porzingis confirms plans to represent Latvia in FIBA Eurobasket 2025
Porzingis will make his return to the Latvian national team this summer.
Kristaps Porzingis said he plans to represent Latvia in the upcoming FIBA Eurobasket 2025 this summer.
Porzingis missed the 2024 Olympic Qualifying tournament last summer while recovering from offseason ankle surgery.
The last time he played for the Latvian National Team was in 2023 during the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“I haven’t had the opportunity to represent my country for a while, unfortunately,” Porzingis said. “I always love so much playing for the national team, honestly.”
“It just gives me a burst of energy in the summertime and to get back with my guys from the national team,” he added. “It’s just a different atmosphere with the national team and I always look forward to it.”
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There was a six year gap between Porzingis’s first appearance with the Latvian National Team’s senior group in 2017 and the 2023 World Cup Qualifier. Porzingis made it clear that he wanted to play, but wasn’t able to because of injuries.
“I always try to be around the team as much as possible, even when I’m hurt,” Porzingis said. “That’s why I’m kind of surprised that a lot of people think I decide not to play some times. It’s never happened in my career. I only haven’t played because of some injuries.”
Porzingis told reporters Wednesday that he is feeling great heading into the Celtics’ opening round playoff series against Orlando, which tips off Sunday afternoon at TD Garden.
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He played 42 games this season, marking his lowest regular-season total since 2021. Porzingis missed the first 17 games of this season while recovering from the ankle injury that plagued him during last year’s NBA Finals.
He was available fairly often down the stretch as the Celtics cruised to the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. Boston was without him for most of last year’s playoff run while he dealt with a calf strain and the ankle injury that eventually required surgery.
A healthy Porzingis would be valuable for the Celtics during this postseason.
His length as a rim protector is a unique advantage, and his 3-point shooting ability forces opposing big men to venture out to the perimeter which creates more space for the Celtics to generate looks on the offensive end.
He shot a career-best 41.2 percent from 3-point range this season and will be a key piece in the Celtics’ front-court
“Hopefully I’ll have a healthy playoff run now and I’ll go into the summer healthy and have a great European Championship with Latvia,” said Porzingis.
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