By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Besides being expected to host one of the four FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in July, Greece featuring Giannis Antetokounmpo is a possibility, confirmed by the Freak himself.
“Right now, I am just looking forward to seeing my kids. After that, play Washington. Then after that, have a good season. Hopefully, we will be the last team standing. And after that, try to qualify for Paris,” he explained after falling short to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday, “If all those things happen in order and we make it to Paris, I will be excited to be there.”
After falling to 10-5 in the 2023-24 NBA Regular Season, the Milwaukee Bucks will host the Washington Wizards in Fiserv Forum on the next edition of NBA Saturdays.
Giannis has represented Greece in multiple major tournaments. From the 2014 and 2019 FIBA World Cup to the 2015 EuroBasket. Potentially playing in Paris this summer would mark his first appearance at the highest level of international competition.
Greece, coached by Vassilis Spanoulis, is among the 24 national teams to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, vying for a ticket to the Olympics.
Adrian Griffin downplays the argument
A brief exchange with head coach Adrian Griffin was attached to the loss in Boston. The former NBA champion did not wish to comment after the game. “He wanted to stay in, I wanted to give him a breather,” the Bucks play-caller described the incident, “That’s all it was.”
Antetokounmpo, 28, recorded a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double lasting 37 minutes in TD Garden.
“They are really good. They play the right way, playing for one another. They have multiple guys that can shoot from the three-point line. Guys that want to get going offensively,” he described the C’s, “This is another year that they are very good.”
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL