By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother and fellow member of the Bucks, Thanasis, are back in Athens two days before they are permitted to join the training camp of the Greek national team.
While their younger brothers Alex and Kostas are already practicing with the rest of the team, Giannis and Thanasis were present at the Olympic Stadium of Athens without being able to train with them.
Per the FIBA-NBA agreement, NBA players – unless there’s a special arrangement with their franchise – can be part of the preparation period of their national team for 28 days before major FIBA tournaments and 14 days before the Olympics.
Giannis, Thanasis, and Tyler Dorsey who recently signed a two-way deal with Dallas will be permitted to join the national team training camp on the 4th of August. The Bucks have also their man in the Greek national team coaching staff, which includes Milwaukee assistant coach Josh Oppenheimer.
It’s one more proof of the wish of the Greek national team to build around Giannis under new coach Dimitris Itoudis in a project that aims not only for the upcoming Eurobasket 2022 but also for the FIBA World Cup and the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Nick Calathes also joined the team on Tuesday, one day after the official start of the training camp. The official media day of the team is scheduled for Saturday, the 6th of August, and three days later, on the 9th of August, Greece hosts Spain for their first prep game.