Giannis Antetokounmpo has once again demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the top talents in basketball. Leading Greece to a decisive 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic, Antetokounmpo dominated the Group B stage of the Piraeus, Greece, Olympic qualifying tournament.
The Greek forward was unstoppable, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes of play. What made this performance even more impressive was his impeccable shooting. Giannis made all 11 of his field goal attempts, went 9-of-13 from the free-throw line, and sank his only three-point attempt. Such efficiency is seldom seen at this level of competition.
Antetokounmpo received ample support from his teammates, with Thomas Walkup contributing 17 points. Greece's dominance was evident, as they led by as many as 27 points during the game. Vassilis Spanoulis, speaking about Giannis, remarked, "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."
Next up for Greece is a critical match against Egypt on Thursday. A victory would allow them to advance to the semifinal round. The qualifiers in Greece are part of a larger series of tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, with four teams from these tournaments set to secure their spots in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play at all four venues will conclude on Thursday, with semifinal matches scheduled for Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
Montenegro, New Zealand, and The Bahamas Earn Key Wins
In Group A of the Piraeus tournament, New Zealand edged past Croatia with a 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili played pivotal roles, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's layup in the final minute sealed the win for New Zealand. For Croatia, Ivica Zubac was a standout performer, scoring 29 points and recording 16 rebounds, while Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja also made significant contributions. Reflecting on the game, Saric admitted, "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, however, still has a path to the semifinals. Their four-point differential ensures a spot if Slovenia fails to defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more. Notably, Croatia previously secured a 108-92 win over Slovenia.
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro overcame Cameroon in a close-fought encounter, winning 70-66. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Montenegro's depth was on display, with five players scoring in double figures and the team converting 20 out of 24 free-throw attempts. Cameroon was led by Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe, who each scored 14 points.
The Bahamas Advance, Spain and The Philippines Triumph
The Bahamas have advanced to the knockout round in Valencia, Spain, with a strong performance. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the team with 21 points, while Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, and Buddy Hield added 17 points and 10 assists. The Bahamas excelled from beyond the arc, making 13 three-pointers and recording 24 assists on 31 field goals, finishing Group B with a perfect 2-0 record. Poland and Finland are set to face off to determine the other semifinalist joining the Bahamas.
In other action, the Philippines defeated Latvia 89-80. Justin Brownlee had an outstanding game with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists, while Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds. Latvia made a valiant effort, cutting a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points, but it wasn't enough. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points.
Spain also secured a victory, defeating Angola 89-81. Santiago Aldama scored 24 points, and Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds for Spain. Angola's Jilson Bango contributed 15 points and nine rebounds in the loss. Angola now needs a victory against Lebanon to advance to the knockout round alongside Spain.
These results set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the group stages and promise intense competition as teams vie for a place in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The international basketball scene is heating up, showcasing emerging talents and seasoned veterans alike.