By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Officially confirming Giannis Antetokounmpo will play for Greece in the 2022 EuroBasket, Hellenic Basketball Federation president Vangelis Liolios additionally shared more news on the coaching staff.
Milwaukee Bucks assistant Josh Oppenheimer was named as a member of the staff assisting head coach Dimitris Itoudis. The 53-year-old American-Israeli former player will be working with Bucks franchise player Antetokounmpo and the remaining members of the squad, also providing scouting knowledge centered on other NBA players set to play against Greece in the EuroBasket.
“Sotiris Manolopoulos and Savvas Kamberidis will be part of the coaching staff. Isidoros Koutsos’ and Konstantinos Papadopoulos’ requests to be excused were granted. They will be replaced by Stefanos Triantafyllos and Josh Oppenheimer, who is part of the Milwaukee Bucks staff. Marios Batis will also join the staff,” said Liolios regarding the coaches working with Itoudis.
Antetokounmpo, 27, recently practically confirmed participating in the EuroBasket. Additional validation was provided by the president of the federation.
“Giannis loves the national team and Greece, we must stress that. Of course, he will be part of our team. He announced it himself a couple of days ago,” mentioned Liolios, “He will compete in the EuroBasket this September.”
Group C of the EuroBasket preliminary round is scheduled to host Greece in Milan, Italy. Facing Croatia, Italy, Great Britain, Ukraine, and Estonia will determine whether the team guided by Itoudis can advance to the knockout stage with four berths available. The last stage of the tournament will be held between 10-18 September in Berlin, Germany.
Before EuroBasket, Greece will take on Serbia on the road and host Belgium to start the last round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers in late August.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL