For the first time in his career, Giannis Antetokounmpo is headed to the Olympics. The Milwaukee Bucks star led the Greek national team to an 80-69 victory over Croatia in the final of their FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Sunday in Piraeus, Greece. This win officially earned Greece a spot in the Olympics for the first time in 16 years.
Emotional Victory
Antetokounmpo, who was born in Athens after his parents immigrated from Nigeria, has been a key player for the Greek national team for years. Despite his efforts, the team has struggled in international competition until now. The win on Sunday was particularly emotional for him, as it secured their place in Paris later this month.
Qualifying Tournament Performance
This summer, Greece dominated their qualifying tournament, one of four held to determine the remaining teams for the Paris Olympics.
- Semifinals: Antetokounmpo scored 13 points in a 28-point blowout win over Luka Dončić and Slovenia.
- Final: Antetokounmpo tallied 23 points and eight rebounds in the victory over Croatia, anchored by longtime Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac.
Greece’s Olympic Journey
Greece will compete in the Olympics for the first time since 2008, when they were knocked out in the quarterfinals by China.
| Team | Qualifying Status |
|---|---|
| Greece | Qualified via tournament |
| Brazil | Qualified via tournament |
| Puerto Rico | Qualified via tournament |
| Spain | Qualified via tournament |
| Others | Previously qualified |
Other teams that have already qualified include France, the United States, Canada, Australia, South Sudan, Japan, Serbia, and Germany.
Giannis’ NBA Performance
Antetokounmpo had an impressive season with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaging 30.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Despite his performance, the Bucks were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round for the second consecutive season after bringing in head coach Doc Rivers midway through the year.
Olympic Competition
Antetokounmpo and Greece will compete in Group A in Paris alongside Canada, Australia, and Spain. Their first game is set for July 27 against Canada.
Antetokounmpo’s journey to the Olympics marks a significant milestone in his career and offers Greece a renewed hope for success on the international stage. Fans will eagerly watch as he leads his team in the upcoming Olympic Games.(Superace88)