Video: Giannis Antetokounmpo Emotional After Helping Greece Qualify for 2024 Olympics

Featured Columnist IVJuly 7, 2024

Greece's Giannis Antetokounmpo dribbles the ball during the 2024 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament semi-final basketball match between Greece and Croatia at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Athens, on July 7, 2024. (Photo by Aris MESSINIS / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images

Giannis Antetokounmpo is heading to the Paris Olympics.

The Milwaukee Bucks superstar scored 23 points to go along with eight rebounds and a block in Greece's 80-69 victory over Croatia, qualifying his country for the Olympics.

The Greek Freak was visibly emotional after the victory:

FIBA @FIBA
What it means for Giannis 🥹<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAOQT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAOQT</a> <a href="https://t.co/rpacKTH6PA">pic.twitter.com/rpacKTH6PA</a>

Ballislife.com @Ballislife
Giannis on IG: "I have never cheat the game.. See you in Paris 🙏🏽" <a href="https://t.co/Vrgb0ExMkQ">pic.twitter.com/Vrgb0ExMkQ</a>

It will be the team's first appearance in the Olympics since 2008:

FIBA @FIBA
Hellas are back in the <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympics</a> for the first time since 2008! 🇬🇷<br><br>How far can they go in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris2024?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Paris2024</a>?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAOQT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAOQT</a> <a href="https://t.co/v7NO3Az6I0">pic.twitter.com/v7NO3Az6I0</a>

Georgios Papagiannis added 19 points for Greece.

Alongside getting past Croatia—which had a number of NBA talents, including Dario Šarić (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Ivica Zubac (19 points, 12 boards)—Antetokounmpo's Greece knocked out Slovenia and Dallas Mavericks' superstar Luka Dončić on Saturday in Olympic qualifying, 96-68.

"They played way better than us. They were way more aggressive," Doncic told reporters. "I think they have an amazing team. Obviously, they have Giannis. But other pieces are very important for them, too. And they're very well-coached. ... They outplayed us today."

Coming into Sunday, France (as the host nation), the United States, Germany, Japan, Serbia, South Sudan, Canada and Australia were already qualified for the Paris Games. Brazil and Spain earned two more of the final four spots up for grabs on Sunday, with Lithuania facing Puerto Rico to decide the final one.

Greece will play in Group A, a tough group that already includes Australia and Canada and now will have Spain as well. Australia features a number of NBA players, including Patty Mills, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum, Josh Green, Jock Landale, Dyson Daniels and Josh Giddey.

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Canada is expected to include superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander alongside Jamal Murray, RJ Barrett, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Dillon Brooks and Andrew Nembhard, among others. They'll be the favorites, though anything is possible for Greece with two-time NBA MVP Antetokounmpo leading the way.