Walkup asked to play in the National Team-Positive recommendation from EEC to Esoterikon

The desire to compete in the national team is expressed by Thomas Walkup. His American guard Olympiakou sent a letter to the EEC in which he states that he feels Greek, that he sees his future in the country even after the end of his career and that if he refuses to provide his services to the “official sweetheart”, he will return the passport that he will secure and will waive the rights arising from this (such as competing as a community member in some leagues).

The case has already been forwarded to positive recommendation from the EEC to the competent Ministry of the Interior, which is also disposed of positively. Such a development, in addition to putting a very capable player at the disposal of the National team in view of the World Cup (and not only) also serves the interests of Olympiakos, as if Wokap is Greekized, a foreigner position will be freed up in the “red and whites”.

It is noted that the National team is only allowed to use a player who has acquired the country’s legal citizenship through naturalization after reaching the age of 16. This means, in practice, that if Walkap becomes Greek, then BOTH he and Tyler Dorsey will not be able to compete with the National team in the same event, but only one of the two (or someone else, such as Naz Mitrou-Long, who has also initiated the Hellenization processes for a long time).

Several teams have made use of the right to naturalize a foreigner, with the most typical example being Spain, which won the Eurobasmet with the American as its leader Lorenzo Brownwho had not the slightest connection with the country since he had never even competed in the ACB.

What is certain is that with the above moves, the basis for the selection of athletes for the National Team is broadened without taking someone’s presence for granted, since the final selection belongs to the federal coach, Dimitris Itoudiswho incidentally works with Tyler Dorsey at Fenerbahce.

It is recalled that Walkap extended his contract with Olympiakos until 2027 a few days ago and declares… he is in love with the country. However, in January, after the victory of Olympiakos in Peristeri with his own basket at the end, the Texan guard was asked by ERT if he was considering the possibility of playing for the Greek National Team and he answered “… hey, i’m american. We haven’t discussed anything». It seems, however, that in the months that followed, the idea matured in him and with the encouragement of his team, the matter progressed.

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