Tibor Pleiss is expected to make his return to German NT in EuroBasket 2022 / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AFP-Scanpix, FIBA Credit AFP-Scanpix, FIBA

Tibor Pleiss is expected to return to the German national team this summer, according to BasketNews sources.

Free throws this season

82%13,0Points made:13,0Accuracy:81,5%Place in standings:7Record max:28Record min:3Most made FTs:Vasilije MicicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Pleiss is in direct contact with coach Gordon Herbert, who took over the NT last summer, via our sources.

Moreover, EuroBasket 2022 will take place in Pleiss' hometown Cologne where Germany will meet France, Lithuania, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Hungary in Group B.

The 32-year-old Pleiss didn't represent Germany for 6 years, because of disagreements with former head coach Chris Fleming.

Pleiss played his last international match on September 7, 2016. At that time, he left the national team in the middle of the EuroBasket Qualifiers because he was in contract negotiations with clubs from the NBA and Europe after his time with the Utah Jazz had previously come to an end.

"I cannot understand when a player leaves the team in the middle of a tournament," Fleming recalled the situation to German magazine BIG. "He came to me and said, 'I'm leaving, I'm going to do tryouts with the Nets and Spurs.'"

For his part, Pleiss did not regret his decision to leave the squad but admitted it was "a pretty bad time" to do so.

"I had to make that decision for my career. I really wanted to continue pursuing my dream of playing in the NBA," the 2.21-meter big man spoke earlier.

However, his trip to the U.S. did not even happen. Instead, Pleiss signed a contract with Galatasaray.

Tibor Pleiss and his current team Anadolu Efes Istanbul just wrapped up the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague season, winning the back-to-back title.

Pleiss was the top performer in the grand final, posting 19 points (7/8 2PT, 1/2 3PT, 2/2 FT), 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 2 blocks, and 24 PIR.

"It's incredible. As a kid, I always looked up to the two teams that played the Final Four and now I've won it back to back, it's incredible. I'm full of emotions, I'm tired, but I'm so happy it's incredible, I have no words for it. This team worked so hard for the title, we had a lot of ups and downs this season and we ended up now with a title again, one year later, incredible," Pleiss did not hide his joy after the final.

He averaged 9.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 11.2 PIR over 40 EuroLeague duels this season.

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