Having all three (or even four) Antetokounmpo brothers—Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas (occasionally including Alex)—on the same team, especially the Greek national basketball team, may sound like a dream for curious fans or as a marketing story. However, from a basketball and team-building perspective, it actually makes little sense.
1. Overlapping Skill Sets, Not Complementary Roles
The Antetokounmpo brothers, while all extremely athletic and hardworking, share similar physical profiles and playing styles. Giannis is a ball-dominant forward but Thanasis and Kostas (and Alex, to an extent) are also lengthy, athletic forwards—generally specialising in defence, hustle, and energy. They are not elite shooters or play makers. Having several players with similar roles and limitations (especially non-superstar siblings) can lead to roster redundancy and limit tactical flexibility. Most successful national teams are built by blending complementary skills: shooters, passers, rim protectors, and versatile role players.
2. Team Chemistry vs. Nepotism and Meritocracy
Bringing siblings onto the same roster can risk perceptions—and realities—of favoritism. The ideal for national teams is picking the absolute best in each position, giving the country the highest chance of success. The Greek national team routinely features NBA, EuroLeague, and top Greek league talent in every position, so spots are incredibly competitive. Choosing brothers as a package (especially if not all are among the country’s top players) could erode trust within the team and anger fans or other deserving players who are left out.
3. Distraction and Media Hype
The story of “all the Antetokounmpo brothers together” would attract enormous attention and media scrutiny. While this brings publicity, it can also distract from the squad’s actual preparations and objectives. The focus can shift from building a winning team system to the novelty of the family lineup, which could upset team dynamics or create unwanted off-court narratives the coach must manage.
4. Sibling Dynamics—Strengths and Pitfalls
There are benefits to sibling chemistry—knowing each other’s tendencies, supporting one another, and fostering a positive locker room culture. But this can easily turn into on-court arguments, frustrations, or unintended rivalry. Studies in team sports suggest that siblings on the same team sometimes struggle with boundaries, criticism, and balancing the family bond with broader team unity. If one of the brothers receives more or less playing time, it can create tension or even resentment—harming both family and team morale.
5. National Team Depth and Opportunity Cost
Greece doesn’t lack basketball talent. The national team regularly qualifies for major tournaments and features an array of EuroLeague and NBA players. Forcing the inclusion of multiple Antetokounmpos can mean other players—perhaps a needed shooter, ball-handler, or defensive specialist—are left out, reducing the overall ceiling of the team. National teams must put winning first, not family reunions.
6. Evidence: Actual Roster Decisions
Historically, while there have been moments when more than one Antetokounmpo was named to a preliminary roster, rarely are all three featured in the final 12-man squad for a major tournament, and performances suggest balancing the roster is prioritized. For instance, as recently as the EuroBasket 2025 preliminary roster, Giannis and Kostas are included, with Thanasis ruled out due to injury and Alex not among the final picks—demonstrating a merit-based approach and the challenges of fitting multiple brothers onto a balanced squad125.
Will it happen?
While the Antetokounmpo brothers have each made notable achievements, and their shared story inspires millions, national team basketball demands the sharpest focus on fit, balance, and the high-stakes realities of international competition. Assembling all three brothers on the court, especially when not all are among Greece’s very best, risks sacrificing team strength for sentiment and spectacle—which doesn’t make sense if the goal is to win medals and maximise the nation’s basketball legacy. Despite consistently delivering strong individual performances and drawing global attention to Greek basketball, Giannis has failed to lead Greece to any significant international medals or deep tournament runs—a reality that has frustrated fans and analysts alike.
High Hopes, Early Exits
- 2016 Olympic Qualifiers: Giannis averaged a solid 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. However, Greece was eliminated by Croatia and failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics.
- 2019 FIBA World Cup: This tournament was highly anticipated, as Giannis entered as the reigning NBA MVP—the first to play in a FIBA World Cup. Expectations were sky-high, but Greece failed to progress past the second round, finishing 11th overall. This exit was widely described as disappointing, given the roster’s talent and Giannis’s status as an NBA superstar.
- EuroBasket 2022: Antetokounmpo showcased extraordinary stats—29.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.7 assists per game, leading all scorers and being named to the All-Tournament Team. Yet, Greece lost in the quarter-finals to Germany, and Giannis was ejected after two unsportsmanlike fouls in that match, again cutting short the team’s title aspirations.
- 2024 Paris Olympics: After helping Greece earn their first Olympic basketball appearance in 16 years, Giannis was the team’s flagbearer and central figure. He averaged a tournament-high 25.8 points with very efficient shooting, but Greece could only muster a 1–2 record in the group stage and were eliminated in the quarter-finals, this time by Germany.
Why Haven’t Results Matched the Hype?
- No Medals Despite NBA Stardom: Across all major tournaments from 2014 through 2024, Giannis and Greece have never reached the semifinals of a EuroBasket, World Cup, or the Olympics, let alone won a medal.
- Mismatch of Styles and Roles: Giannis’s unique playstyle—most effective as a ball-dominant forward in the NBA—has been harder to maximize in international basketball, where different rules, roster depth, and the absence of NBA spacing have limited his impact on winning at the highest level, despite impressive box scores.
- Unmet Expectations: The gap between NBA success and international results has drawn criticism and disappointment from Greek fans and the media, putting extra pressure on Antetokounmpo each cycle. Greek journalists and some international observers have not hesitated to question why “the Greek Freak” has been unable to elevate his national team to the podium.
Giannis’s Perspective
Despite the lack of medals, Giannis has repeatedly pushed back on the idea of “failure” in sports, famously arguing that every loss is a step towards future success and that his journey with Greece—win or lose—is a source of pride and growth. Still, results on the court remain clear: Giannis’s time with the Greek national team has been marked by unfulfilled potential and a string of high-profile exits, fuelling debate about how best to build around such superstars in the international game. Especially someone like Giannis who is used being pampered with the Bucks where the entire roster essentially works to make him look good all the time.
