In a surprising development, a former Chicago Bulls guard will not suit up for his home country in this year’s EuroBasket competition.
After a few weeks of warm-up games, the tournament proper is slated to commence next week.
But Tomas Satoransky won’t be there.
Former role player Bulls point guard veteran is ailing
The veteran combo guard announced on his personal Instagram account that a back injury would force him to sit out this year, a major blow to his native Czech Republic’s chances in EuroBasket 2025.
“I had to make a very difficult decision today,” Satoransky began (translation via Sportando). “Those who know me understand what it means for me to play for the national team and how much I wanted to take part in my fifth European Championship in national colors. However, due to my current health condition, I cannot help the guys the way I would like and as expected of me. Therefore, I must apologize for withdrawing.”
Satoransky went on to indicate that he would play for his national team, while healthy, at least one more time during a future summer offseason window.
“Before the summer, I didn’t know if this would be my ‘last dance’ with the national team, but now I know for sure that I want to say goodbye on the court!” Satoransky noted. “I believe we will all see each other soon in the arena, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed from afar in Riga for the guys, hoping they can add another valuable result for Czech basketball.”
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Now 33, the 6-foot-7 vet spent six seasons in the NBA, including two for the Bulls, from 2019-21. He enjoyed his most productive output ever during those two lottery-bound seasons, averaging 8.9 points on .461/.334/.865 shooting splits, 5.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in 123 healthy games (82 starts).
Satoransky has been playing abroad since he split his 2021-22 season between the New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs and Washington Wizards, and is currently suiting up for EuroLeague squad Barcelona.
Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci is the only current NBA player rostered on the Czech Republic’s EuroBasket team this year.
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