By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Greek Federation president Giorgos Vassilakopoulos said that Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to join the country’s national team in the 2019 World Cup.
“We are open, with open arms. Who wouldn’t want to have such a great athlete on the national team? One that takes awards and distinctions in the USA,” Vassilakopoulos said to Greek national television (ERT) when asked if Giannis will be available for the 2019 World Cup.
“At the same time, he’s a kid who learned basketball in Greece. Greece helped him a lot, from all aspects. He’s in the USA today playing with a Greek passport and that’s very important. And his brothers. His whole family is about basketball,” Vassilakopoulos added.
Giannis last played with the Greek national team in the Olympic Qualifiers tournament. He had previously participated in the 2014 World Cup (his debut) and the 2015 EuroBasket.
A knee issue prevented the “Greek Freak” from returning to the squad for the 2017 EuroBasket.
“I hope he’ll be with us, like his brothers. One of them (Panathinaikos forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo) plays in Greece. They are a very good family that loves Greece,” Vassilakopoulos also mentioned.