In a commanding performance, Giannis Antetokounmpo led Greece to a 109-82 victory over the Dominican Republic in the Group B stage of the Olympic qualifying tournament held in Piraeus, Greece. Antetokounmpo's electrifying display saw him score an impressive 32 points in just 19 minutes of action, making all 11 of his field goal attempts and converting 9-of-13 free throws. He also nailed his only three-point attempt in the game.
Thomas Walkup added to Greece's offensive onslaught with a solid contribution of 17 points. The Greek team controlled the game from start to finish, leading by as many as 27 points during the contest. They now face a vital match against Egypt on Thursday, with a victory necessary to advance to the semifinal round.
Reflecting on Antetokounmpo's performance, Vassilis Spanoulis noted, "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."
Olympic Qualifiers Heating Up
The qualifying tournaments in Greece, Latvia, Puerto Rico, and Spain are pivotal in determining the four remaining participants for the men's basketball competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Group play at all four venues is set to conclude on Thursday, with semifinal matches taking place on Saturday, followed by the championship games on Sunday.
In other Group A action in Piraeus, New Zealand edged past Croatia with a narrow 90-86 victory. Corey Webster and Shea Ili led the Kiwi offense, scoring 21 and 18 points, respectively. Ili's crucial layup in the final minute sealed the win for New Zealand. Despite the loss, Croatia remains in contention for the semifinals, largely due to Ivica Zubac's remarkable 29-point, 16-rebound performance. Croatia's semifinal berth will be confirmed if Slovenia fails to defeat New Zealand by a margin of 21 points or more. Croatia's journey also includes a previous 108-92 victory over Slovenia.
Dario Saric, reflecting on the close contest, said, "It was a tough spot playing after an emotional win over Slovenia. We were hoping we'd be on a level and push the game in our direction. But today wasn't the case."
Montenegro and The Bahamas Show Strength
In Riga, Latvia, Montenegro secured a 70-66 win over Cameroon. Marko Simonovic led Montenegro with an 18-point, six-rebound performance, while Nikola Vucevic added 11 points and 14 rebounds as Montenegro showcased their depth with five players scoring in double figures. Montenegro's success at the free-throw line was also notable, as they converted 20 out of 24 attempts. For Cameroon, Fabien Quentin Philibert Ateba and Jordan Bayehe each scored 14 points.
Meanwhile, in Valencia, Spain, The Bahamas advanced to the knockout round thanks to a standout performance from Valdez Edgecombe Jr., who led with 21 points. Deandre Ayton contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, helping The Bahamas to a 2-0 record in Group B. The team excelled from beyond the arc, making 13 three-pointers, and displayed excellent ball movement with 24 assists on 31 field goals. Buddy Hield also played a key role, posting a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. Poland and Finland will now face off to determine which team joins The Bahamas in the semifinals.
Philippines and Spain Secure Wins
The Philippines captured an 89-80 victory over Latvia, powered by Justin Brownlee's near triple-double with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. Kai Sotto added 18 points and eight rebounds to help his team fend off Latvia, who managed to reduce a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit to just 10 points. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points.
Spain continued their strong showing with an 89-81 win over Angola. Santiago Aldama topped the score sheet with 24 points, supported by Willy Hernangomez's 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jilson Bango contributed significantly for Angola with 15 points and nine rebounds. Angola now faces a must-win situation against Lebanon to join Spain in the next round.
As the group stages draw to a close, the intensity of competition is palpable. With each game proving crucial, teams are leaving everything on the court in a bid to secure their place in the 2024 Paris Olympics.