ESP - Garbajosa cleared for Eurobasket
SEVILLE (FIBA Europe Championship) - Jorge Garbajosa looks set to play in EuroBasket 2007 after all after an agreement has reportedly been reached by the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and the Toronto Raptors. Spanish media reports claimed that a deal had been struck between the parties after the Raptors had previously indicated they would not ...
SEVILLE (Eurobasket) - Jorge Garbajosa looks set to play in EuroBasket 2007 after all after an agreement has reportedly been reached by the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and the Toronto Raptors.
Spanish media reports claimed that a deal had been struck between the parties after the Raptors had previously indicated they would not allow 29-year-old power forward Garbajosa to play because of injury concerns.
The deal was due to be confirmed at a lunchtime press conference on Sunday.
Spain's doctors believe Garbajosa could be fully recovered from the operation on his ankle and fibula that he underwent after suffering a serious injury in an NBA game at the end of March.
Ten days ago, Toronto president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said the club would not give its consent for the 6ft 9in power forward/center to play in Spain, where the EuroBasket is being staged.
Garbajosa was a key player for Spain at their FIBA World Championship success in Japan last year and his national team had looked at insurance options to cover the injury concerns expressed by the Raptors.
FIBA