By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Getting ready to join the training camp of the senior national team of Greece, Giannis Antetokounmpo set his sights on the approaching FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the attached opportunity to advance to the Olympic Games.
“I have not practiced yet, but I feel better. I can not wait to join the training camp,” mentioned the Freak, referring to the premature ending of his 2023-24 campaign in the NBA due to a left calf injury.
“I think this is what the national team needs,” he talked about Vassilis Spanoulis taking over as head coach, “A person with many unbelievable moments for Greek basketball, from playing for the national team to Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. He has tremendous experience as a player. As a coach over the last two years, he showed what he can do.”
Earlier displays for the Milwaukee Bucks star in major international tournaments at the senior level range from the 2014 and 2019 installments of the FIBA World Cup to the 2015 and 2022 editions of EuroBasket. His efforts were combined by ranking ninth and 11th in the flagship event of FIBA, plus a fifth-place finish across both competitions against the top European national teams. Participating in the 2016 OQT in Turin, Greece ranked third behind host Italy and advancing Croatia.
“I have never played in the Olympic Games and I really want for us to get there,” he said, “We have the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The only incentive is qualifying, not Team USA or anything else.”
👀🇬🇷 Giannis Antetokounmpo set his sights on the approaching FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the attached opportunity to advance to play in the Olympic Games. pic.twitter.com/bRgBv5vsni
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 20, 2024
“Accomplishing something great with the national team, that is a great feeling and I want to feel it once in my life. So far, I have not felt it and that gives me an extra motivation,” he added.
Greece is set to host one of four Qualifying Tournaments in Piraeus between July 2 and 7. Looking to progress to the Semifinals, the Dominican Republic and Egypt are the opponents in Group B of the preliminary round. Possibly battling with the advancing countries from Group A, two of Croatia, New Zealand, and Slovenia, only one of six national teams will end up with a ticket to the Olympic Games.
🔥🇬🇷 Giannis and Kostas Antetokounmpo READY to represent Greece!
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗦 😤🇬🇷
(📷via @Giannis_An34) pic.twitter.com/j0a8hmIGeo
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) June 20, 2024
Luka Doncic, the leading star of Slovenia, has yet to announce his decision about potentially representing his country in Greece. Following a grueling NBA season with the Dallas Mavericks, dealing with plenty of injuries until the Finals, he is considered questionable.
“He will make the best decision for himself,” noted Giannis.
Photo Credit: FIBA.BASKETBALL