After such a long time, one-time NBA champion Giannis Antetokounmpo will finally make his Olympic debut in Paris soon. Before that happened, though, the Milwaukee Bucks star dropped an epic surprise for his teammates with the Greek national team.
Antetokounmpo has secured his first-ever Olympic appearance, leading Greece to a decisive 80-69 victory over Croatia in the men’s basketball qualifying tournament for the 2024 Paris Games.
Antetokounmpo, known for his dominant performances in the NBA, delivered a standout performance, scoring 23 points to help his national team book their berth in the Olympic tournament. Alongside Antetokounmpo, Georgios Papagiannis contributed 19 points, while Nick Calathes added 14 for the victorious Greek squad.
Greece’s qualification marks their return to the Olympic basketball tournament since 2008, and they will be placed in Group A, facing off against Australia, Canada, and reigning champions Spain, who also secured their spot on Sunday.
The road to the Olympics was not without challenges, as Antetokounmpo and his teammates had to navigate a tough qualifying tournament. However, their determination and the superstar leadership of the NBA MVP proved too much for their opponents, setting the stage for Antetokounmpo’s much-anticipated Olympic debut.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo Drops Awesome Surprise for Greece Teammates Before 2024 Paris Olympics
With only little time left before the Olympics start, Antetokounmpo made sure his teammates will enter the tournament right. In a video he posted on his official Instagram account, the Bucks superstar was shown dropping an epic surprise for the Greek national team.
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This will be Greece’s first run at the men’s basketball tournament in the Olympics. As it stands, Antetokounmpo will use his vast NBA experience to lead the Greek National Team to a favorable finish in the sporting event, but will face formidable opponents in a LeBron James-led Team USA, a Canada squad with Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic leading Serbia, among others.
It remains to be seen how Antetokounmpo and company will fare in the Olympics. Since this will be their first run in the sport on the global stage, things can go sideways for them. Add the fact that there are a lot of powerhouse teams they’ll face, and there’s a chance for an early exit down the road. But with the Bucks star doing his best to keep his team together, fans can expect great things from them. For sure, the Greek Freak’s heart and dedication to the game may prove to be the X-factor for his team.
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