Like Lorenzo Brown with Spain or Shane Larkin with Turkey, another NBA playmaker was recently close to being naturalized by a European selection. According to BasketNewsthe player in question is none other than mike james with the Latviahe who has never represented a country on the international scene.
The idea of the Latvians was to be able to count on the star of Monaco for the World Cup 2023 and discussions between the two camps took place a few months ago, before this track was abandoned, despite a certain interest on each side. Probably because, still according to BasketNews, members of the Latvian federation or key players in the selection were ultimately against this possibility…
On paper, the addition of the unpredictable and talented Mike James to a Latvia already guided by Kristaps Porzingis, Davis Bertans, Rodions Kurucs, Anzejs Pasecniks or even Dairis Bertans would undeniably have allowed the Baltic nation to strengthen its status as a hair- to-scratch of the next World Cup.
As a reminder, during this World Cup, the Latvians will be in Pool H with France, Canada and Lebanon. If they finish in one of the first two places, they will then cross with the group of Spain and Brazil in the second round, to hope to join the 1/4 finals of the competition.
