Giannis Antetokounmpo says he’s not physically ready to play in the World Cup

Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play for Greece at the Basketball World Cup that starts later this month, with the Milwaukee Bucks star saying Friday he and his medical advisers decided that he's simply not ready to compete.

Antetokounmpo had surgery on his left knee earlier this summer.

Greece will play the US, Jordan and New Zealand in group-stage games at Manila in the tournament, which starts August 25 in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.

"Everyone knows my passion and love for my national team has and never will change," Antetokounmpo wrote in a statement Friday. "Since the conclusion of my NBA season I have been pushing my body to the limits to be the player I need to be to help our team achieve the goals we set. But after months of work and multiple meetings with medical staff it is clear that I am not ready to compete in the level that I need to be...