The 2024 Paris Olympics is coming soon and Greece is gearing up for its bid to win the gold. Fortunately, they have Milwaukee Bucks All-Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo in the lineup to help the team compete in the prestigious event.
Antetokounmpo spent two years playing for Filathlitikos in the Greek B Basket League first, and Spanish team CAI Zaragoza from 2011 to 2013. During his time playing for those squads, NBA scouts have identified him as a potential prospect, which led the Bucks to select him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Although his first year in the league went mostly under the radar, the subsequent seasons saw the Greek Freak evolve into one of the league’s best stars. In 2017, the NBA bestowed Antetokounmpo with the Most Improved Player award by increasing his numbers and leading Milwaukee to a playoff spot. He would win a pair of MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year, a Finals MVP, and a championship in 2021.
Although the past few seasons haven’t kind to Antetokounmpo and the Bucks’ playoff aspirations, the eight-time All-Star has still found a way to remain relevant, especially outside of an NBA court. Apart from his philanthropic and charity works, the Milwaukee star is also being wooed to join Greece’s national team for the Olympics.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Confirms Status For Greece In Olympic Qualifiers
Just recently, Peristeri Athens head coach Vassilis Spanoulis said that Antetokounmpo will be playing for Greece in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In an article by Johnny Askounis for Eurohoops:
“Giannis will be present with the national team in the Olympic Games Qualifiers,” noted Spanoulis during the postgame press conference following the ending of a best-of-three series versus Olympiacos on Saturday.”
In years past, Antetokounmpo has participated in a number of tournaments and qualifying games outside of the NBA. Some of these include his 2016 stint playing for Greece in the FIBA Olympic qualifiers, 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, and EuroBasket in 2022.
Greece is scheduled to face the Dominican Republic and Egypt in the qualifying rounds. From there, the winner of that tournament will be able to clinch a ticket to the Olympics in Paris. Hopefully, the Greek Freak will be the defining factor to help his country go far in their quest to win the gold medal in the months to come.
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