Giannis, Thanasis could be at risk of missing Olympic qualifiers
Hoping to guide the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA title later this summer, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother Thanasis could be at risk of missing this summer’s FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
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Greece’s disastrous run at the 2019 FIBA World Cup meant that the Ethniki missed out on punching a ticket to the 2020 Olympics in Japan.
Fortunately for Greece, a second chance to reach the Olympics comes in the form of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria, Canada in June. The Ethniki will need to beat out the likes of hosts Canada, China, Czech Republic, Turkey, and Uruguay for the final ticket to Japan.
The Hellenic Basketball Federation (EOK) has already made moves to prepare for the tournament with Rick Pitino installed as head coach for the tournament, with current bench boss Thanasis Skourtopoulos expected to serve as one of Pitino’s assistants on the Greek bench.
The EOK opted to transition to a two-coach system similar to the United States after Pitino offered to return to coaching in Greece prior to stepping in as head coach of Panathinaikos yet again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to be Greece’s meal ticket yet again this summer, but the Greek Freak, alone with his brother Thanasis, may not be available for the qualifying tournament should things pan out for the Milwaukee Bucks.
With the Bucks hoping to be the last team standing in the NBA later this summer, scheduling could prove to be a hurdle for the Antetokounmpo brothers to join the Ethniki in time for the tournament.
Despite their struggles in the playoffs in recent seasons, the Bucks are poised to make a deep run yet again this summer and should they reach the NBA Finals then the likelihood of both Antetokounmpo brothers being available for the qualifying tournament diminishes drastically.
In fact, should the NBA Finals go the distance and reach a seventh game then the NBA season would officially end just two days prior to Greece’s first game at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament against Canada.
While a Bucks run to the NBA Finals is far from a guarantee, Pitino and his staff should at the very least begin to prepare for the possibility that both Antetokounmpo brothers won’t be available for selection for the first step on the road to Japan this summer.
