The Greek Basketball Federation confirmed that Giannis Antetokounmpo will not take part in the ECOMMBX Cup this weekend in Limassol, Cyprus. The warm-up event, which serves as Greece’s final preparation before EuroBasket 2025, includes games against Serbia and Israel but will now proceed without the two-time NBA MVP.
His absence rules out a highly anticipated clash with fellow NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, who will lead Serbia. The two stars—both considered future Hall of Famers—haven’t met in international competition since 2019. Antetokounmpo is coming off his ninth straight NBA All-Star appearance and seventh consecutive All-NBA First Team honor. Despite averaging over 30 points per game for the third season in a row, his Milwaukee Bucks finished 48–34 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers in five games.
Greece still travels to Limassol with a 16-man squad featuring seasoned veterans Kostas Papanikolaou, Kostas Sloukas, and Thanasis Antetokounmpo, along with scoring guard Tyler Dorsey. They will face Serbia tonight at 20:30 local time in the Spyros Kyprianou Arena, the same venue set to host their group stage games at EuroBasket. Earlier in the day, Cyprus will play Israel in the tournament opener.
Head coach Vassilis Spanoulis addressed Antetokounmpo’s situation earlier this week, noting that the Bucks’ star is following a personal training regimen. “He is following his own program,” Spanoulis said. “I don’t think missing this event will affect his EuroBasket participation.”
Antetokounmpo is expected to rejoin the national team later in August, ahead of group stage play in Limassol. Greece will compete in Group A alongside Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, and defending champions Spain.
Commenta
Visualizza commenti