As the Orlando Magic’s 2024-25 NBA season wrapped up with a first-round playoff loss to the Boston Celtics, international basketball took center stage for several players, including Franz Wagner and Goga Bitadze, who are eyeing EuroBasket 2025. However, Germany’s national team faces uncertainty with key roster decisions looming.
Franz Wagner remains uncertain
Franz Wagner, one of Germany’s brightest stars, expressed his love for representing his country but stopped short of confirming his participation in the tournament. “That’s going to be a conversation,” the 23-year-old forward said during his season exit interview. “I love playing for my country, and I love the guys that I play with there. It’s always a great time. I’ll see how I feel and how the summer goes.” With plenty of time before the tournament, Wagner is focused on offseason growth, keeping his plans tentative.
Germany is likely to miss Moritz Wagner, Franz’s older brother, who is recovering from a torn ACL in his left knee that sidelined him late in the Magic’s season. The 28-year-old center remains optimistic but cautious, noting, “There’s no benchmark or anything like that.” His absence could open the door for rookie forward Tristan da Silva, a promising talent who impressed in his debut season with Orlando and may join the German squad.
Goga Bitadze to play for Georgia
Meanwhile, Goga Bitadze left no doubt about his commitment to Georgia’s national team. “I take that very seriously,” Bitadze said in his exit interview. “I’m going to prepare for that and got to stay in shape all summer. Hopefully, we win a lot of games with the national team.” His dedication signals a strong presence for Georgia as they aim to make waves in the tournament.
