Franz Wagner participates in team practice for first time since injury / News - Basketnews.com

Wagner played five-on-five for the first time since picking up an ankle injury during the World Cup opener against Japan. The decision on whether the forward plays against Latvia hasn't been made yet.

Credit: IMAGO/camera4+ - Scanpix Credit IMAGO/camera4+ - Scanpix

Franz Wagner has been out due to injury since his very first game of the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Now, hope appears that he might return to the court.

Franz Wagner

Position:SFAge:22Height:205 cmWeight:100 kgBirth place:Berlin, GermanyProfileNewsStatistics

Before Tuesday, the German forward practiced individually but did not join the team in group practice. On Tuesday, Wagner was featured in five-on-five action for the first time since the injury.

"We always look at it on a day-to-day basis because we have to see how the ankle reacts," said Gordon Herbert, the German national team's head coach.

Wagner suffered an ankle injury during the World Cup opener against Japan. With five minutes remaining in the game, the 21-year-old landed awkwardly on his left ankle after a minor mid-air collision with a Japanese player,

It still remains a question whether Wagner can play in the quarterfinal against Latvia on Wednesday.

"We haven't decided that yet," Herbert said. "If Franz can train properly, we will make the decision."

"It's important that we have either Dennis or Franz on the field if both are fit," he later clarified about the team's rotations.

After Lithuania's loss in the quarterfinal, Germany remains the only undefeated team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

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