Last Friday we had an interesting friendly match in preparation for the next FIBA World Cup. As Slovenia lost 88-77 to Greece, playing a preparatory match in Athens. But the loss was not the major problem of the night. Vlatko Čančar suffered a torn ACL and is out of World Cup. He could also miss the entire NBA season.
With a little more than three minutes left in the game, the Denver Nuggets player landed awkwardly after dunking a ball. Later, MRIs confirmed the concerning severity of the injury. There is no timetable for his recovery or surgery just yet, but his whole season is in jeopardy now.
Čančar, 26, was probably going to have a more important role in the Nuggets this season after the departures of Bruce Brown and Jeff Green. Now his focus will be on having a quick and safe recovery. He recorded 4 points and 3 assists before leaving the game injured.
Last season Čančar helped in the campaign that landed the first-ever NBA title to Denver. He played in 60 games, averaging 5 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 14.8 minutes per game.
Slovenia roster
Aleksander Sekulić, Slovenia’s head coach, announced the full roster for the FIBA World Cup. Čančar, alongside Luka Dončić, are the only two players in the list playing in the NBA. Check out the call-up list.
- Jaka Blažič (Cedevita Olimpija – SLO)
- Saša Ciani (Cedevita Olimpija – SLO)
- Vlatko Čančar (Denver Nuggets)
- Jakob Čebašek (Free Agent)
- Žiga Dimec (Nishinomiya Storks – JAP)
- Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks)
- Zoran Dragić (Cedevita Olimpija – SLO)
- Gregor Glas (Mornar Bar – MON)
- Gregor Hrovat (JDA Dijon – FRA)
- Urban Klavžar (UCAM Murcia – SPA)
- Aljaž Kunc (Iowa State University)
- Miha Lapornik (Patrioti Levice – SVK)
- Jurij Macura (Krka – SLO)
- Blaž Mahkovic (Helios Suns – SLO)
- Jordan Morgan (Konyaspor – TUR)
- Aleksej Nikolić (Pallacanestro Brescia – ITA)
- Bine Prepelič (Charleroi – BEL)
- Klemen Prepelič (Valencia – SPA)
- Žiga Samar (Alba Berlin – GER)
- Mike Tobey (Crvena zvezda – SER)
