Giannis Antetokounmpo's Stellar Performance Leads Greece to Victory in Olympic Qualifiers
Giannis Antetokounmpo showcased his unparalleled talent in Greece's commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Piraeus, Greece. The Greek Freak was unstoppable, scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes of play, making all 11 of his field goal attempts. His performance was further highlighted by his success at the free-throw line, where he went 9-of-13, and he didn't miss his only three-point attempt of the game.
Vassilis Spanoulis, the Greece head coach, expressed his admiration for the NBA superstar, saying, "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." Antetokounmpo's humility and team spirit were evident, further energizing his teammates and the home crowd.
Thomas Walkup added 17 points for Greece, providing significant support to Antetokounmpo's efforts. Greece dominated throughout the match, leading by as many as 27 points. Their path to the semifinals is clear; a victory over Egypt on Thursday will secure their advancement.
The qualifiers in Greece are part of a global series of tournaments occurring simultaneously in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain, with four spots for the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics up for grabs. All group play will wrap up on Thursday, followed by semifinal matches on Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
New Zealand's Narrow Victory Over Croatia
In Group A action, New Zealand edged out Croatia with a close 90-86 win. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were instrumental for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's pivotal layup in the final minute sealed the victory. Despite Ivica Zubac's impressive 29 points and 16 rebounds for Croatia, and notable contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja, it wasn't enough to turn the game in their favor.
"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," said Saric, reflecting on Croatia's performance. Croatia's four-point differential ensures their place in the semifinals if Slovenia does not defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more, thanks to their previous 108-92 win over Slovenia.
Montenegro Overcomes Cameroon in Riga
Montenegro secured a 70-66 victory against Cameroon in Riga, Latvia. Marko Simonovic led the charge with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic contributed with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Montenegro displayed depth as five players scored in double figures. Their accurate free-throw shooting was also a key factor, hitting 20 out of 24 attempts. Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points for Cameroon, who fought valiantly till the end.
Bahamas Advance in Spain
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round, led by Valdez Edgecombe Jr.'s 21 points. Deandre Ayton added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Buddy Hield's 17 points and 10 assists further boosted their efforts. The Bahamas' proficient shooting, with 13 successful three-pointers and 24 assists on 31 field goals, underscored their offensive prowess. Holding a 2-0 record in Group B, they await the outcome of the Poland-Finland matchup to determine the semifinalist joining them.
Philippines Triumph Over Latvia
The Philippines secured a notable 89-80 win against Latvia, thanks to a stellar performance by Justin Brownlee, who scored 26 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out nine assists. Kai Sotto also had a significant role, contributing 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite Latvia trimming a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points, they couldn't close the gap. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points.
Spain Defeats Angola
Spain maintained their dominance with an 89-81 win over Angola. Santiago Aldama scored 24 points, and Willy Hernangomez added 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jilson Bango led Angola with 15 points and nine rebounds. To advance to the knockout round alongside Spain, Angola must secure a win against Lebanon.