SAN FRANCISCO (USA) - Though Greece is yet to officially secure its place at FIBA EuroBasket 2025, the nation's biggest star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has already circled the tournament dates on his calendar, ready to lead the charge.
The two-time NBA MVP and an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks is ready to step onto his international hunting ground once again from August 27 to September 14 in pursuit of a long-awaited piece of silverware with the national team.
"If I am healthy, I will be there."
Antetokounmpo confirmed his commitment in an interview with COSMOTE TV during the recent All-Star Weekend in San Francisco.
"If I'm healthy, I will be there," he stated, speaking with journalists Vassilis Skountis and Rigas Dardalis.
One of the most dominant players in the NBA, Antetokounmpo is yet to replicate his success on the international stage with Greece since his senior debut in 2014.
The national team's wait for a podium in a FIBA competition dates back even further, to FIBA EuroBasket 2009 in Poland, when their current head coach, Vassilis Spanoulis, was leading the charge on the court rather than from the sidelines.
Antetokounmpo last suited up for Greece at the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing the Men's Olympic Basketball Tournament as the leading scorer with 25.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in a campaign that was cut short by Germany in the Quarter-Finals.
Germany was also the team to knock them out in the Quarter-Finals of the FIBA EuroBasket 2022.
"I thought we could have won a medal two years ago at EuroBasket, but we played Germany, who are a great team," Antetokounmpo reflected.
Now, with Spanoulis guiding from the bench and Antetokounmpo as the team's centerpiece, Greece is eager to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite. Will their medal drought end this summer?
"We will do our best; coach Spanoulis will create a good team and we'll put in the effort. He pushed me to go out of my comfort zone, he was always keeping me alert and changed the way I approach the game," said Antetokounmpo.
For Greece to have a shot at the EuroBasket 2025 title, their first challenge will be officially securing a spot in the Final Round through the last window of the Qualifiers.
They enter the final stretch of the qualification campaign atop Group F with a 3-1 record and will look to sign off in style on the road against Czechia on Friday, February 21 and at home against Netherlands on Monday, February 24.
FIBA