Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks has represented Greece in worldwide competitors many instances, relationship again to the FIBA Europe Below-20 Championship in 2013. However he has by no means performed within the Olympics. Forward of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Event in Piraeus, Greece, Antetokounmpo instructed reporters that he needs to alter that.
“I’ve by no means performed within the Olympic Video games and I actually need for us to get there,” Antetokounmpo stated, as translated by Eurohoops. “Now we have the Olympic Qualifying Event. The one incentive is qualifying, not Crew USA or the rest.”
The event, which begins on July 2, options Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, New Zealand, Dominican Republic and Egypt. Solely the winner will get a spot within the Paris Olympics.
Antetokounmpo has been out of motion since straining his left calf on April 9 in a regular-season recreation towards the eventual champion Boston Celtics. After the Bucks had been eradicated by the Indiana Pacers in six video games within the first spherical of the playoffs, Antetokounmpo stated that he “wasn’t even shut” to returning and could not run at full velocity. Now, nonetheless, he sounds able to go.
“I’ve not practiced but, however I really feel higher,” he stated. “I can’t wait to hitch the coaching camp.”
This will probably be Antetokounmpo’s first expertise taking part in for Vassilis Spanoulis, the Greek basketball legend who’s now the pinnacle coach of the nationwide group. Spanoulis retired as a participant in 2021 and has spent the final two seasons teaching Peristeri within the Greek league.
“I feel that is what the nationwide group wants,” Antetokounmpo stated, “An individual with many unbelievable moments for Greek basketball, from taking part in for the nationwide group to Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. He has large expertise as a participant. As a coach over the past two years, he confirmed what he can do.”
Different acquainted faces on Greece’s prolonged roster for this coaching camp embody Kostas Papanikolau, Nick Calathes, Kostas Sloukas, Georgios Papagiannis, Thomas Walkup and Kostas Antetokounmmpo. Thanasis Antetokounmpo, the older brother of Giannis and Kostas, won’t take part, as he had surgical procedure to restore a torn Achilles in Could.
Antetokounmpo won’t be the one perennial All-NBA First Crew participant within the qualifying event. Luka Doncic’s standing is up within the air after the Dallas Mavericks‘ run to the NBA Finals, throughout which the celebrity performed by a number of accidents.
“He’ll make the perfect resolution for himself,” Antetokounmpo stated.