Is Giannis Antetokounmpo playing today against Canada? Latest on the Greece forward's status | 2024 Paris Olympics (July 27)
Greece men's basketball team, led by its charismatic leader Giannis Antetokounmpo, will begin their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday against Canada. It promises to be a mouthwatering game, with Giannis lwill play in Greece's campaign opener.
The 29-year-old is the only Greece player with NBA experience. The one-time NBA champion will be largely responsible for how far Greece goes in the quadrennial competition. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar is competing in his first Olympics.
Giannis is arguably one of the best basketball players in the world. In several fans and pundits' opinion, the six-foot-11 forward is the best. The eight-time NBA All-Star was the primary reason behind Greece's qualification for the Summer Games.
"I've always wanted to be a part of the Olympic Games, be part of the Olympic Village and be around all the best athletes," Giannis said during the opening ceremony on Friday, as per the Olympic News Service.
"It was a dream of mine, and playing with my team and being able to accomplish it was a huge moment for us as athletes, and for the country too."
During the 2024 FIBA men's Olympic Qualifying Tournaments in Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico and Spain, Giannis played three games, including the semifinals and the final.
In the group stage game against the Dominican Republic, the one-time NBA Finals MVP scored 32.0 points and was flawless from the field. He shot 11-of-11 from the field, including 1-of-1 from 3-point range.
In the semifinals against Luka Doncic-led Slovenia, Giannis scored 13 points on 6-of-13 shooting. He also grabbed four rebounds and two assists to roll out Greece's path to the final.
Against Croatia in the final, Giannis was dominant, scoring 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting, including 1-of-2 from beyond the arc. He also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out three assists.
Giannis Antetokounmpo in exhibition games
Leading up to the Paris Olympics, Greece competed in two exhibition games. The country's first tune-up game was against Puerto Rico on July 16. Giannis Antetokounmpo, though, didn't feature in the game.
The Bucks' poster bot didn't travel to Thessaloniki due to an "illness" as Greece eked out a hard-fought 67-65 victory in their superstar's absence.
In Greece's second and final tune-up game on July 22, Giannis Antetokounmpo returned to action against Nikola Jokic-led Serbia. Even with Giannis in the team, Greece suffered a 94-72 loss. The 29-year-old scored 17 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists and shot 7-of-12.