Giannis Antetokounmpo once again showcased his spectacular talent, leading Greece to a resounding 109-82 triumph over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar scored an impressive 32 points in just 19 minutes of play, making all 11 of his field goal attempts, a single three-pointer, and going 9-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Vassilis Spanoulis, the head coach for the Greek national team, expressed high praise for Antetokounmpo. "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," Spanoulis said. His sentiments encapsulate the invaluable influence Antetokounmpo has on and off the court.
Thomas Walkup also contributed significantly to Greece's success, adding 17 points to solidify their dominating performance. At one stage, Greece held a commanding 27-point lead, never giving the Dominican Republic a chance to mount a comeback.
As Greece looks ahead to their next challenge, they must defeat Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round. This qualifier in Piraeus is one of several taking place around the globe, including Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, all of which will determine the last four participants for the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play in all these locations concludes on Thursday, with semifinal matches set for Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
Other Standout Performances
In Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand narrowly edged past Croatia with a 90-86 win. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were pivotal for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's layup in the final minute was crucial, sealing New Zealand's victory. "It was a gutsy win for our team," expressed Reuben Te Rangi, capturing the team's determination and tenacity.
For Croatia, Ivica Zubac was a standout, registering 29 points and 16 rebounds. Despite the loss, Croatia remains hopeful about their semifinal chances. Dario Saric reflected on the challenges they faced, stating, "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." Croatia’s four-point differential ensures their place in the semifinals if Slovenia doesn't defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more, a buffer improved by their previous 108-92 win over Slovenia.
European Drama Unfolds
In Latvia, Montenegro won a close contest against Cameroon, finishing 70-66. Marko Simonovic led the charge for Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds. The Montenegrin squad featured five players scoring in double figures, a testament to their well-rounded team effort. Notably, Nikola Vucevic tallied 11 points and gathered 14 rebounds, while the team capitalized on their free-throw opportunities, converting 20 out of 24 attempts.
Across Europe in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led his team with 21 points, with substantial support from Deandre Ayton, who scored 18 points and recorded nine rebounds. The Bahamas demonstrated their formidable offensive prowess by making 13 three-pointers and registering 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield also had an outstanding game, contributing 17 points and 10 assists.
Philippines and Spain Hold Fort
The Philippines also garnered a vital victory, defeating Latvia 89-80. Justin Brownlee led the way with a near triple-double, scoring 26 points, along with nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto chipped in with 18 points and eight rebounds. Latvia managed to trim a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to just 10 points, led by Rodions Kurucs with his 18-point effort.
In the Spanish leg of the qualifiers, Spain claimed a hard-fought 89-81 win over Angola. Santiago Aldama was the star for Spain, scoring 24 points, while Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds. On the other side, Jilson Bango was a prominent figure for Angola, contributing 15 points and nine rebounds. Angola must now secure a win against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round alongside Spain.
The road to the 2024 Paris Olympics continues to intensify, with teams across multiple continents battling for the precious few remaining slots. The drama and excitement are set to escalate in the coming days, as squads strive to keep their Olympic dreams alive.