In a commanding 109-82 victory, Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece to a dominant performance over the Dominican Republic during the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament. A display of sheer skill and determination, Antetokounmpo's contribution was nothing short of extraordinary.
Antetokounmpo's Stellar Performance
Giannis Antetokounmpo, widely known as the "Greek Freak," put on a show, scoring an impressive 32 points in just 19 minutes of game time. The NBA star exhibited clinical precision, making all 11 of his field goal attempts. Additionally, Antetokounmpo was active from the free-throw line, where he went 9-for-13. He capped off his flawless shooting night by sinking his only three-point attempt.
Vassilis Spanoulis, a member of the Greek coaching staff, praised Antetokounmpo's dedication and humility: "Giannis loves to be here. He loves to represent his country. He's very humble. He's part of the team. For a superstar, you don't find this easy. ... He's about winning." Indeed, Antetokounmpo's performance underscored his desire to lead Greece to Olympic glory.
Supporting Cast
While Antetokounmpo was the standout player, Thomas Walkup also made significant contributions, adding 17 points to Greece's tally. Greece's cohesive team play saw them lead by as many as 27 points during the game, demonstrating their dominance on both ends of the court.
With this win, Greece now needs a victory over Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round. The tournament in Greece is part of a larger series of qualifying events taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, which will determine the final four participants in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play across all venues concludes on Thursday, followed by the semifinals on Saturday and the championship games on Sunday.
Elsewhere in the Tournament
In Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand edged past Croatia with a 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were pivotal for the Kiwis, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's crucial layup in the final minute sealed New Zealand's win. Reflecting on the hard-fought victory, Reuben Te Rangi said, "It was a gutsy win for our team."
Croatia's Ivica Zubac gave a valiant effort with a remarkable 29-point, 16-rebound performance. Significant contributions also came from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja, but it wasn't enough to secure the win. Saric acknowledged the difficulty of their situation: "It was a tough spot playing after an emotional win over Slovenia. We were hoping we'd be on a level and push the game in our direction. But today wasn't the case." Despite the loss, Croatia’s four-point differential ensures their place in the semifinals if Slovenia doesn’t defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more.
Highlights from Other Venues
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro overcame Cameroon with a narrow 70-66 victory. Marko Simonovic led the way for Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic added a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds. The team’s accuracy at the free-throw line, hitting 20 of 24 attempts, played a crucial role in their win. Cameroon’s top scorers, Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe, each tallied 14 points.
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas showcased their prowess, advancing to the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the Bahamian charge with 21 points, supported by Deandre Ayton's 18 points and nine rebounds. The Bahamas were lethal from beyond the arc, making 13 three-pointers and tallying 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield added 17 points and a notable 10 assists. Holding a 2-0 record in Group B, the Bahamas await the winner of the Poland vs. Finland match to determine the other semifinalist from their group.
Meanwhile, the Philippines achieved a commendable 89-80 victory over Latvia. Justin Brownlee was outstanding, nearly securing a triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto also made a mark with 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite Latvia cutting a 21-point deficit to within 10 in the fourth quarter, Rodions Kurucs' 18-point effort couldn’t complete the comeback.
In another game, Spain defeated Angola 89-81, with Santiago Aldama and Willy Hernangomez combining for 46 points and 10 rebounds. For Angola, Jilson Bango impressed with 15 points and nine rebounds. Angola now faces a must-win game against Lebanon to join Spain in the knockout round.
As group play comes to an exciting conclusion, the teams are set for a thrilling climax in their quest for Olympic qualification. With the knockout stages looming, each game promises intense competition and exceptional performances from the world's best basketball talent.