The message comes after Jerebko himself asked the Swedish Basketball Federation (SBBF) if he can be selected for the squad for this summer's European Championship or not. He has been suspended from national team play since he went to CSKA Moscow in March 2022, a few months after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"To be eligible and represent a national team, one must not only qualify athletically. One must also follow the value base that we in Swedish basketball have decided on, and stand up for the values that permeate our entire operation," says SBBF's chairman Susanne Jidesten in the federation's statement.
"Good talks"
"We have had good talks about what this means and I hope we can move forward from this now," she continues.
Jerebko's decision to go to a Russian team over three years ago was met with massive criticism. In June 2022, after just a few months in the club, he left CSKA Moscow. Since then, the 38-year-old Jerebko has, among other things, played in Puerto Rico, where he suffered a heel injury last year.
"Three years have passed and my regret remains, but also the desire to participate in Swedish basketball's operations, which I have always felt. I have therefore asked the question to SBBF about my eligibility for the national team again," says the former NBA star, among others in Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors, in the statement on the federation's website.
"Not just to step in"
"My wish now is just to put this behind me and try to fight for a spot on the team in this summer's European Championship," he continues.
The Basketball Federation's sports manager Lars Johansson that Sweden's squad for the European Championship is selected at the end of June. Then there are camps and training matches in July before the European Championship premiere against Finland in Tampere on August 27.
After the lifted suspension, it is up to the four coaches to have a dialogue with Jerebko and then assess whether the veteran can be relevant for the European Championship.
Sweden has a national team with players in several of the world's best leagues, including NBA newcomers Pelle Larsson, Miami Heat, and Bobi Klintman, Detroit Pistons.
One should remember that we have such a strong national team that it is definitely not just about stepping into that team, says Lars Johansson.
