Milwaukee Bucks fans will get to see Giannis Antetokounmpo in action sooner than initially thought, with the superstar confirming he will be a part of the Greece team in EuroBasket later this year.
It has been an action-packed summer for Milwaukee, with rumors about Giannis' future quickly squashed, followed by the addition of Myles Turner and the waiving of Damian Lillard. One thing that was always bound to happen was the two-time MVP representing his country in the top European competition.
Similar to the Bucks' championship aspirations, Greece will need Giannis to be at his best for them to win the title.
Greece need Giannis at MVP level to win EuroBasket
Giannis has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead a team to victory at any level. His 50-point closeout game in the 2021 NBA Finals was a statement, and in previous EuroBasket and Olympic competitions, Giannis has led Greece much further than could be expected of the team. He will be partnered with his younger brother Kostas, with Thanasis still recovering from his torn Achilles back in May of 2024.
At the Paris Olympics last summer, Giannis helped his Greek team fight their way out of a tough group before they fell to defeat at the hands of Germany. Antetokounmpo still averaged a brilliant 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, and let's not forget, Giannis missed a significant period at the end of the 2023-24 season before heading to France. This August, he will go into the competition at full health and will continue to prove his doubters wrong.
Avid watchers of Giannis at previous international tournaments will recognise many Greek players; however, veteran point guard Nick Calathes will be out with a knee issue, and former Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers big man Georgios Papagiannis also will not be selected.
The Bucks adding Turner and bringing back Jericho Sims likely reduces the chances of seeing Giannis play center in the NBA, but Doc Rivers has suggested the potential of him being the point guard or point center.
Rookie Bogoljub Markovic could be selected to the Serbia roster, although it would be a big surprise for the tournament favorites. Former Buck, although very briefly, Danilo Gallinari will be suiting up for Italy and will play against Giannis and Greece in Group C.
Their other opponents include Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and Cyprus. This group stage will take place in Limassol, Cyprus, between August 28 and September 4, with the top four seeds advancing to the knockout stage. These single-elimination games will take place in Riga, Latvia between September 6 and September 14.
We will have all the updates as Giannis and Greece try to bring home with the crown of European champions.