Giannis Antetokounmpo demonstrated his superstar prowess, leading Greece to a commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Piraeus, Greece. The two-time NBA MVP showcased his full arsenal by scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes, making all 11 of his field goal attempts, and going 9-of-13 from the free-throw line. Additionally, Antetokounmpo converted his only three-point attempt, capping off a near-perfect performance.
Thomas Walkup also lit up the scoreboard for Greece, contributing 17 points. The Greek team dominated the match, building a lead that extended to as many as 27 points. Despite the strong performance, Greece will still need a victory over Egypt on Thursday to secure a spot in the semifinal round.
Vassilis Spanoulis, reflecting on Antetokounmpo's dedication and humility, 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."
Global Qualifying Perspective
These matches are part of a larger slate of qualifying tournaments taking place in Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. By the end of these competitions, four teams will have earned their places in the men's basketball event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play across all venues will wrap up on Thursday, with semifinal clashes slated for Saturday and championship games on Sunday.
New Zealand clinched a close 90-86 win over Croatia in Group A in Piraeus, propelled by Corey Webster's 21 points and Shea Ili's 18. Ili's crucial layup in the final minute secured New Zealand's victory. Croatia saw a standout performance from Ivica Zubac, who tallied 29 points and 16 rebounds. Contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja were not enough to overturn the deficit.
New Zealand's Reuben Te Rangi summed up the match with pride, stating, "It was a gutsy win for our team."
Croatia remains in the hunt for a semifinal berth, with their fate hinging on Slovenia's match against New Zealand. A victory for Slovenia by 21 points or more would knock Croatia out of contention. Reflecting on the loss, Dario Saric said, "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."
Montenegro, The Bahamas, and Spain Triumph
Montenegro edged past Cameroon 70-66 in Riga, Latvia. Marko Simonovic led with 18 points and six rebounds, helping Montenegro, which featured five players in double figures, maintain their slight halftime lead of 32-29. Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds, aiding Montenegro's outcome as they capitalized on free throws, making 20 out of 24 attempts.
In Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas secured their advancement to the knockout round, boasting a pristine 2-0 record in Group B. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the team with 21 points, backed by Deandre Ayton's 18 points and nine rebounds. Buddy Hield also contributed significantly, posting 17 points and 10 assists. Demonstrating their offensive potency, the Bahamas made 13 successful three-pointers and recorded 24 assists on 31 field goals.
The Philippines recorded a strong 89-80 victory over Latvia. Justin Brownlee delivered an impressive performance, recording 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds. Despite a late-game surge by Latvia to cut a 21-point deficit to 10, Rodions Kurucs' 18 points weren't enough to mount a comeback.
Spain and Angola's Crucial Matches
Spain claimed an 89-81 win over Angola, with Santiago Aldama scoring 24 points and Willy Hernangomez adding 22 points and 10 rebounds. For Angola, Jilson Bango contributed 15 points and nine rebounds. Angola's fate in the tournament now rests on their upcoming game against Lebanon, which they must win to advance to the knockout round along with Spain.