WALBRZYCH (FIBA EuroBasket 2017) - Walbrzych has been the traditional gathering point the Polish national team over the last couple of summers, as it has proven again this year with coach Mike Taylor's side beginning their training camp in the southwestern part of the country.

Still missing some key players in Maciej Lampe, Przemyslaw Karnowski and  A.J. Slaugther, who are expected to join the other 14 players in the coming weeks, the national team will be working in Walbrzych for two weeks.

The team is expecting point guard Slaughter to arrive at training camp on July 23 after the coaching staff granted him extended leave following a late run in the French LNB Pro A Play-Offs, going all the way to June. 

Meanwhile, the situation is more complicated with injury worries for Lampe and Karnowski, who are targeting a a possible mid-August return. 

"Now that we started the training camp in Walbrzych, we can finally put our plans into action. At the end of last week, we touched base with the members of the team and discussed the preparation plan. I am pleased to be able to see all of them again," said Taylor.

At the end of the Walbrzych portion of preparations for FIBA EuroBasket, Poland will have a chance to size up with Czech Republic in two friendly games, the first of which, on July 28, will be open to both public and media.

The team will later play a series of friendlies in Lithuania, Latvia, Germany and then once again back in Poland.

"We want to be the best team we can be. We have to become better every day, during every workout. In order to develop, we need to build a culture. There are big challenges ahead of us and our ultimate goal is to prepare to overcome great teams," the head coach of the national team declared. "During the camp in Walbrzych we will want to focus on maximizing the potential of our team and that of the individual players."

Poland have been drawn to Group A of FIBA Eurobasket 2017, forming the Helsinki-based group with France, Greece, Iceland, Slovenia and one of the four tournament co-hosts Finland.

FIBA