NBA Star Giannis Antetokounmpo Headed to Olympics for Greece

Greece’s Giannis Antetokoumpo puts on a cap as he celebrates the win at the end of the final game of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament between Croatia and Greece at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Athens on July 7, 2024. Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo is taking his game to the world’s stage.

The NBA superstar for the Milwaukee Bucks helped Greece qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 2008 with an 80–69 victory over Croatia. Antetokounmpo scored 23 points with eight rebounds, and Georgios Papagiannis added 19 points for Greece.

Brazil, Spain, and Puerto Rico also earned the final spots for this summer’s Olympics in Paris after emerging in the winner-take-all qualifiers over the past week.

Greece qualified for the Olympics in basketball in 1952, 1996, 2004 (as the host country), and 2008,  but it has never medaled in the sport.

Antetokounmpo, known as the “Greek Freak,” is looking to help his native country earn a medal in the highly competitive games. He was in tears following Greece’s crucial win against Croatia.

“It’s incredible,” Antetokounmpo said about playing for Greece during the qualifying rounds. “I don’t think the scenario could have been better. Being in your house, with people that support you. It’s an incredible feeling. Since I was a kid I always wanted to play the Olympic Games.”

Greece, which will compete in Group A, plays Canada in its first pool play game at Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France on July 27. Following that matchup, Greece plays Spain on July 30 and Australia on Aug. 2. The quarterfinals begin on Aug. 6 in Paris. The semifinals are scheduled for Aug. 8, and the medal games are slated for Aug. 10.

The other teams competing in this summer for the men’s basketball Olympics are the United States, France (host nation), Germany, Japan, Serbia, South Sudan, Canada, and Australia.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić will not play in the 2024 Olympics after his native country, Serbia, was eliminated by Antetokounmpo and Greece, 96–68, during qualifying last week.

Antetokounmpo was born in Athens after his parents migrated from Nigeria in 1991. He has been a member of the Greek National Team since 2014. He is one of the nation’s most accomplished players and is a three-time NBA MVP. Antetokounmpo is also the Bucks’ all-time leader in triple-doubles (14) and a five-time Eastern Conference Player of the Month.

Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $186 million extension with the Bucks on Oct. 23, 2023. This past season, he averaged 30.4 points, 11.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists over 73 games. However, he suffered a season-ending calf injury on April 9, which also kept him out of the 2024 NBA playoffs.

Antetokounmpo has deemed himself healthy enough to play in the Olympics, but Greece faces an uphill battle to earn a medal.

The United States is a prohibitive favorite with an experienced roster that includes three-time Olympic champion Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns) and the NBA’s all-time scoring leader LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), who also has a pair of Olympic gold medals.

“I’m still playing a high level,” the 39-year-old James said during a Team USA workout on July 6. “I still love the game of basketball. And Team USA has done well by me, so I felt like it was important for this summer to be able to go out there and play with the rest of the guys.”

The USA Men’s National Team also features Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat), Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Anthony Davis (Los Angeles Lakers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers), Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics), Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers) and Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics).

The team has made a combined 11 Olympic appearances, won 10 Olympic gold medals, and three FIBA World Cup titles. Overall, the United States will take 12 NBA All-Stars, four NBA MVPs, and six NBA champions to Paris—a daunting matchup against any opponent.

The Olympic team will be coached by Steve Kerr, who has led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA titles (2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022). Mark Few (Gonzaga University), Tyronn Lue (Los Angeles Clippers), and Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat) are also on the coaching staff.

Last summer, the quartet coached the 2023 USA Basketball Men’s National Team to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA Men’s World Cup in Manila.

“My staff and I are honored to coach this amazing group of players in our quest to win Olympic gold in Paris,” Kerr said in a statement. “We plan to represent USA Basketball with the utmost class and we hope to make our country proud.”

Canada is the second favorite behind the United States and has a talented roster led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 30.1 points per game in his second NBA season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Canadians also have Jamal Murray, who helped lead the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA Championship in the 2022-2023 season. This past year, Murray averaged 21.2 points over 59 games.

Serbia is the third favorite this summer and is led by NBA star Nikola Jokić from the Nuggets. Jokić last competed in the Olympic Games in Rio 2016, where he won silver after losing to the United States in the final. Jokić has earned six NBA All-Star selections and won the Most Valuable Player Award in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. In the 2022-23 season, Jokić led the Nuggets to their first Western Conference title and NBA championship, with Jokić receiving the NBA Finals MVP award.

Other key players for Serbia include Bogdan Bogdanović (Atlanta Hawks) and Vasilije Micić (Charlotte Hornets).