One breath away from getting a Greek passport O Thomas Walkup. His American guard Olympiacu he wrote to the Hellenic Basketball Federation (EEC) to compete against the national colors of Greece. Among other things, Walkup emphasizes that he now feels that Greece is his homeland and that he intends to remain there even after the end of his career, while he undertakes that “in the event that I refuse to provide my services in the future, the Greek Government will cancel rights deriving from the issuance of a passport.

The EEC sent a letter to the government and gave a positive recommendation to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, has already signed the player’s request. With a Greek passport, Walkup hopes to wear the national emblem on his chest for the first time at the upcoming World Cup and help Greece secure a podium spot. The process of issuing a Greek passport to Naz Mitro Long, who plays for Armani Milan and has a Greek mother, has entered the final stage.

However, only a player who has obtained the legal citizenship of a country through naturalization, after reaching the age of 16 (naturalized), can play in the national team. That means federal coach Dimitris Itoudis, if Walkup becomes Greek, will be asked to choose between Tyler Dorsey and Olympiacos defender Thomas Walkup or Metrow Long if he also gets a Greek passport. However, since Dorsey received a Greek passport before he turned 19, there is a possibility that action could be taken so that he can exit the naturalized category and play normally in the national team as a Greek.

Thomas Walkup, a few days ago, especially April 12, signed a contract extension with Olympiacos until 2027.

Source: RES-IPE

⇒ News today

Subscribe to kathimerini.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest news from Greece and the world at kathimerini.gr