By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
From Lille to Paris, most standout players of the preliminary round are now focusing on single-elimination contests in the knockout stage of the 2024 Olympic Games.
On the top of the bracket, Serbia versus Australia and the United States against Brazil. The opposite end features a clash between European national teams, Germany and Greece, and host France taking on Canada. Action resumes in the capital of France on Tuesday.
Before changing up to single-elimination contests all the way to the medal games, Eurohoops presents the top five players through pool play in Lille, ranked according to efficiency rating.
Nikola Jokic (Serbia)
18.7 ppg, 30 eff
Bouncing back with Serbia, after sitting out the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was his usual dominating self in Group C. He averaged 18.7 points, 11.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per contest, falling one assist shy of a triple-double against Puerto Rico. With a 2-1 record due to a loss versus Team USA in the opener, Serbia ranked second. Barring an upset, a second opportunity against the team coached by Steve Kerr is projected for the Semifinals.
Making the game easier for his teammates, recognizing every single opportunity to score, and many unique attributes went from Mile High City to Lille. More of the same will certainly follow in Paris. Where will the Joker stop? Serbian followers hope for gold.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece)
27.0 ppg, 29.7 eff
Fellow NBA superstar, Giannis Antetokounmpo led all players in points per game. Besides scoring 27.7 points per contest, he tallied 7.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per contest. The go-to player for Greece, his efforts combined with ranking third in Group A and clinching a berth in the Quarterfinals. Guided by head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, the Gameday 3 win over Australia countered two earlier losses and proved narrowly enough to advance as one of the two best-ranked third-placed teams.
📊🔥 Players with the most PPG in the group stage of the Olympics #Paris2024
Giannis- 27
Rui Hatcimura- 22
Franz Wagner- 21.7
RJ Barrett- 21
Yuki Kawamura- 20.3
Dennis Schröder- 19.7
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander- 19
Bogdan Bogdanovic- 19
Nikola Jokic- 18.7
Josh Hawkinson- 18.3 pic.twitter.com/VSNFobmqjv— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) August 4, 2024
Similar to his showings as the leader of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Freak was unstoppable in the paint and constantly looked to kick out the ball for a long-range shot. Playing with direct support and in a friendly time zone for “ten million Greeks” is the difference.
Victor Wembanyama (France)
17.0 ppg, 25.3 eff
Debuting in the Olympic Games emerges as the connection between Giannis and Victor Wembanyama. At 20 and coming out of a brilliant rookie campaign with the San Antonio Spurs, the Alien is projected for more Olympic action in the future. In current settings, he is up to 17.0 points, 10.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game, helping host France finish second in Group B behind a 2-1 record.
The Alien has been confirmed as the new leader of Les Bleus. However, team showings are under par so far. Room for improvement in the demanding environment of single-elimination contests is the upcoming challenge.
Jock Landale (Australia)
17.7 ppg, 24.7 eff
From the leaders of the Nuggets, Bucks, and Spurs to a role player of the Houston Rockets, Jock Landale ranked fourth in efficiency rating with 24.7 per game. One win for Australia was enough to take the second seed of Group A, creating a matchup with Serbia. Contributions of the 28-year-old big amounted to 18.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.7 steals per contest.
After helping the Boomers capture bronze medals in 2021, Landale is apparently hungry for more.
Josh Hawkinson (Japan)
18.3 ppg, 24.7 eff
The naturalized star of Japan, Josh Hawkinson made the cut, tied with Landale at 24.7 efficiency per contest. Debuting in the Olympics, the 29-year-old big put up 18.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.7 steals per game. However, three losses in as many outings led Japan to the exit.
Forcing Germany’s Dennis Schroder and Franz Wagner, Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and RJ Barrett, USA’s LeBron James, Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic, Spain’s Santi Aldama, and more stars out of the Top 5 was individual success for the Washington State product.
Photo Credit: FIBA