Giannis Antetokounmpo made a resounding impact as he led Greece to a commanding 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Piraeus, Greece. The star forward demonstrated his dominance by scoring 32 points in just 19 minutes of play. Antetokounmpo was in pristine form, making all 11 of his field goal attempts and sinking his only three-point shot. He also managed a 9-of-13 performance from the free-throw line, underscoring his efficiency on the court.
"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," said Greece coach Vassilis Spanoulis, highlighting Antetokounmpo's commitment to the national team.
The victory set the tone for Greece's aspirations in the tournament. Thomas Walkup contributed significantly to the win, scoring 17 points. Greece's dominance was evident as they led by as many as 27 points during the game. The team now needs a victory over Egypt on Thursday to advance to the semifinal round of the qualifiers, which span multiple venues including Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain. Four teams will secure spots in the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics from these qualifiers.
Other Key Performances
In Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand managed to edge past Croatia with a narrow 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili were the standout performers for New Zealand, scoring 21 and 18 points respectively. Ili's crucial layup in the final minute sealed the win for New Zealand. Despite the loss, Croatia's Ivica Zubac delivered an extraordinary performance with 29 points and 16 rebounds, supported by significant contributions from Dario Saric and Mario Hezonja. Croatia holds a four-point differential that could secure their place in the semifinals unless Slovenia manages to defeat New Zealand by 21 points or more.
"It was a gutsy win for our team," said New Zealand's Reuben Te Rangi, reflecting on the team's hard-fought victory.
Latvia and Spain Continue to Impress
On the Latvian front, Montenegro secured a gritty 70-66 win over Cameroon. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with 18 points and six rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Montenegro showcased balanced play with five players scoring in double figures and an impressive 20-of-24 performance from the free-throw line. Cameroon’s Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe both scored 14 points in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, Spain, the Bahamas advanced to the knockout round with a 2-0 record in Group B. Valdez Edgecombe Jr. led the charge with 21 points, followed by Deandre Ayton's 18 points and nine rebounds, and Buddy Hield's 17 points and 10 assists. The Bahamas showcased a potent offense, making 13 successful three-pointers and recording 24 assists on 31 field goals.
Dramatic Matches in Other Venues
The Philippines pulled off a significant 89-80 victory over Latvia, driven by Justin Brownlee’s standout performance. Brownlee scored 26 points, recorded nine rebounds, and provided nine assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds, helping the Philippines fend off a late-game surge from Latvia, who managed to trim a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to 10 points. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points.
In a closely contested game, Spain edged out Angola 89-81. Spain's Santiago Aldama led his team with 24 points, while Willy Hernangomez contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jilson Bango was a bright spot for Angola, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Angola must now secure a win against Lebanon to join Spain in the knockout round.
As group play concludes on Thursday, teams across all venues—Piraeus, Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain—are poised for intense competition. The semifinal matches set for Saturday will determine who advances to the crucial championship games on Sunday, with Olympic spots on the line.