After a stunning trade to the Boston Celtics, the 27-year-old Latvian sensation will get the opportunity to show the world what he can accomplish when he suits up for Latvia in their debut at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Kristaps Porzingis will not see the millions of eyes fixated on him when he steps onto the court at the future 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, but he will know they are there, watching.
Last month, it was reported that the 27-year-old Latvian center would be joining the 16-time champion Boston Celtics in a three-way trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The seven-foot-three (2.2m) center had been a long-term trade target for the Celtics, and after what was arguably a career-best season, the franchise’s front office is now hoping that the addition of the former NBA All-Star to its roster will be the deciding factor in Boston adding another championship title to its collection.
But, if the bar set by Boston wasn’t already high enough, its fans have lifted it even higher.
Aware of the $36 million price tag paid for their biggest offseason acquisition, there will be those who will judge Porzingis’ performance’ at the tournament co-hosted by Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia, as an indicator of what he might do for the Celtics – with the man nicknamed ‘unicorn’ expected to do unique things.
Then there will be many watching with bated breath to see if he stays healthy for the World Cup, with the recent memory of former Celtics star Danilo Gallinari’s cruciate ligament tear during qualifying lurking in the background.
Boston will be watching anything Porzingis does on a World Cup court.
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