Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t able to play during the 2024 NBA Playoffs due to a calf strain he suffered at the end of the regular season. The second straight postseason where he was affected by injury, Antetokounmpo’s dwindling durability has been the source of some discontent. After the Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs, the two-time MVP even noted that he “(has) to do a better job of taking care of (his) body.”
“Maybe I have to even adjust my game,” he considered. “…I’m willing to do anything in order for me to be right there on the court and not let my teammates down.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo Makes Surprising Decision After Late Season Injury
With those comments, it would be understandable if he was hesitant to commit to Greece this year. However, Antetokounmpo “will be present with the national team in the Olympic Games Qualifiers,” reveals Greek national team head coach Vassilis Spanoulis, per Eurohoops’ Johnny Askounis.
Antetokounmpo has represented Greece on several occasions. At the junior level, he played in U20 Euro Championship A in 2013. Promoted to the Senior Team the next year, he took part in the 2014 FIBA World Cup, the 2015 EuroBasket Tournament, the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Italy, the 2019 FIBA World Cup, the 2021 European World Cup Qualifiers, and the 2022 EuroBasket Tournament. In total, he’s played 40 games for Greece’s national team, and 30 at the senior level.
Breaking Down the Olympic Games Qualifiers
The 2024 Olympic Qualifying Tournament will take place between Jul. 2-7. Greece will play the Dominican Republic on Jul. 3 and Egypt on Jul. 4. A top-two finish in Group B would lead to a single-elimination game against Group A’s Croatia, Slovenia, or New Zealand in the Semifinals. If Greece should win their semifinal matchup, they’ll either face the other team with a top-two finish in Group B in the Finals, or the team with a top-two finish in Group A.
In preparation for the Olympic Qualifiers, Greece’s men’s national team is hosting exhibition games against Poland, Montenegro, and The Bahamas. Greece will face Poland on Jun. 21, Montenegro on Jun. 25, and the Bahamas on Jun. 27. Interestingly, Antetokounmpo wasn’t pictured in a team photo taken on May 30, but one of his brothers (Kostas) was.
Οι φιλικοί αγώνες προετοιμασίας της Εθνικής ομάδας Ανδρών ενόψει του Προολυμπιακού τουρνουά που θα διεξαχθεί στο διάστημα 2-7 Ιουλίου στο Στάδιο Ειρήνης και Φιλίας.https://t.co/K2Y8JSdvDC #FIBAOQT #HellasBasketball #PantaDipla #AegeanAcropolisTournament pic.twitter.com/hXRG26Foh5
— Hellenic Basketball (@HellenicBF) May 30, 2024
These three teams will also play in Olympic Qualifying Tournaments, though they’ll be in different ones. While Greece plays at home in Piraeus, Poland and The Bahamas will play in Valencia, Spain. Their opponents will consist of Finland, Lebanon, Angola, and Spain. Montenegro will play in the Olympic Qualifiers that take place in Riga, Latvia. Their opponents are Brazil, Cameroon, Georgia, Latvia, and Philippines.
