Greek Freak Analyzed

Tag: euro

  • Why Giannis didn’t top any Eurobasket25 stats

    Why Giannis didn’t top any Eurobasket25 stats

    Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 32.0 minutes per game across the 7 games he played for Greece in EuroBasket 2025 but in fact only faced one serious opponent, Turkey, where he failed in a most spectacular way. He was extremely lucky and wise to sit out the game vs Nurkic where he would have lost anyway. But let’s look at other EuroBasket 25 stats.

    First of all Greece is still 8th in FIBA power rankings. Turkey went up a lot, Greece didn’t. Why? Because Greece clearly did not deserve a medal! If they had met any of the other teams above them in the rankings in a knock out stage (other perhaps than Spain and Lithuania) they would have lost. They were extremely lucky with the brackets and injuries of opponents.

    Top Scorers (Total Points) Luka Dončić – Slovenia 243

    Players with many less games are at the top of all categories in fact

    Giannis also had 3.7 turnovers per game and as usual was terrible from the free throw line.

    So how did he dominate the conversations? After all just one

    bronze medal after 11 years of trying is a pretty pathetic achievement for someone who says he is one of the best players in the world. Giannis really milked sensationalism. Whether discussing death threats (ludicrous, all famous people get them all the time but don’t make a fuss about it) or acting all emotional upon winning the bronze, Giannis has also been busy enjoying fake news about his charity work. An extremely popular viral “news item” on social media claimed he donated his entire “25 million signing on bonus” which of course is 100% untrue on every level.

    Giannis was also careful to pick when and how he played. He avoided Nurkic, knowing he would be obliterated if he played that game. He

    strategically showed up when he knew he could do his thing only. And the one time he needed to be “the

    best”, against the only decent team Greece faced, Turkey wiped him out completely easily. For those desperate to idolise him it was yet another minor misfortune (as it always is since 2021, every time he faces a more serious opponent) and they quickly focused on the win against Finland instead.

    Now to the NBA, same recipe. He will dominate his personal stats, lose to the better teams and make an early playoff exit. He will indirectly blame his roster as usual and then the summer party of trade talks. It is never Giannis’ fault. After all these years in the NBA and all these years with the Greek national team, no, it’s not his fault. It’s everyone and everything else always, eh?

  • Euro 2025 leaders in everything

    Euro 2025 leaders in everything

    Here is the list of players with the most total points in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on all games played up to this point:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesPointsPPG
    1Luka DončićSlovenia620434.0
    2Lauri MarkkanenFinland615626.0
    3Deni AvdijaIsrael614424.0
    4Jordan LoydPoland613823.0
    5Nikola JokicSerbia613422.3
    6Alperen SengunTürkiye613222.0
    7Franz WagnerGermany612420.7

    Here are the players with the most total rebounds in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on group phase statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesRPGRebounds
    1Nikola VučevićMontenegro511.658
    2Tryggvi HlinasonIceland510.653
    3Alperen ŞengünTürkiye59.648
    4Nikola JokićSerbia59.246
    5Jusuf NurkićBosnia-Herz.59.045
    6Alen OmićSlovenia58.643
    7Lauri MarkkanenFinland58.241
    8Luka DončićSlovenia58.040

    Here are the players with the most total assists in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on current statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesAPGAssists
    1Luka DončićSlovenia69.255
    2Dennis SchröderGermany68.652
    3Vasilije MicićSerbia68.048
    4Elie OkoboFrance66.539
    5Rokas JokubaitisLithuania46.325
    6Killian HayesFrance65.835

    Here are the players with the most steals in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket based on current tournament statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesSteals TotalSteals Per Game (SPG)
    1Luka DončićSlovenia6193.2
    2Dennis SchröderGermany6172.8

    Here are the players with the most blocks in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket based on current official statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesBlocks TotalBlocks Per Game (BPG)
    1Nikola VučevićMontenegro5142.8
    2Jusuf NurkićBosnia-Herzegovina5132.6
    3Alperen ŞengünTürkiye6122.0
    4Nikola JokićSerbia6111.8
    5Luka DončićSlovenia6101.7

    Here are the players with the highest efficiency ratings in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket, based on current official statistics:

    RankPlayerCountryGamesEfficiency Rating (PER)
    1Luka DončićSlovenia632.5
    2Nikola JokićSerbia628.8
    3Lauri MarkkanenFinland626.3
    4Alperen SengunTürkiye625.4

    Here are the players with the highest free throw percentages in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket (minimum attempts considered):

    RankPlayerCountryGamesFree Throw Percentage (FT%)
    1Mike JamesItaly696.7%
    2Shane LarkinTurkey694.3%
    3Luka DončićSlovenia693.5%
    4Dennis SchröderGermany692.8%
    5Lauri MarkkanenFinland691.0%

    Here are the players with the highest three-point shooting percentages in the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket (minimum attempts considered):

    RankPlayerCountryGamesThree-Point Percentage (3P%)
    1Rolands ŠmitsLatvia649.5%
    2Bogdan BogdanovićSerbia647.8%
    3Vlatko ČančarSlovenia646.2%
    4Shane LarkinTurkey645.0%
    5Kevin PangosFinland644.8%

  • EuroBasket 2025 Represents Giannis’ Antetokounmpo’s Best Shot at International Glory with Greece

    EuroBasket 2025 Represents Giannis’ Antetokounmpo’s Best Shot at International Glory with Greece

    As the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 tournament unfolds across Cyprus, Finland, Latvia, and Poland, basketball fans worldwide are witnessing a pivotal moment for one of the game’s greatest talents: Giannis Antetokounmpo. The “Greek Freak,” a two-time NBA MVP and champion with the Milwaukee Bucks, has long dominated the league but has yet to secure a major medal on the international stage with his home country. Greece’s last EuroBasket podium finish was a bronze in 2009, and while Giannis has led them to respectable showings—like a quarterfinal exit in 2022—the stars have never quite aligned for a breakthrough.

    Fast forward to September 2025, and the landscape looks dramatically different. With the tournament already underway (as of September 1, Greece sits undefeated after strong wins over Cyprus and Georgia, including a 27-point outburst from Giannis against the latter), this could be the perfect storm for Greece to medal. Why? A combination of Giannis’ prime form, a solid supporting cast, and—crucially—weaknesses plaguing many of the traditional favorites. Several powerhouse teams are missing key stars due to injuries, fatigue from the 2024 Olympics and NBA seasons, or strategic rest ahead of the 2025-26 NBA campaign. This has opened up the field, making a medal not just possible but potentially “easy” for a Giannis-led Greece if they capitalize. They come first in their (let’s face it, very easy) first phase, then meet Israel and Latvia and presto! Quarterfinals. It is very doable and very likely.

    Drawing from FIBA’s Smart Power Rankings and betting insights, Serbia tops the list, followed by Germany, France, and others like Lithuania, Slovenia, Turkey, Latvia, and Italy. Greece ranks fourth in those rankings, but with the absences hitting rivals hard, their path to the podium (top three) looks clearer than ever.

    Serbia: The Undisputed Favorites, But Not Invincible

    Serbia enters EuroBasket 2025 as the clear top dog, boasting odds of around +235 to win it all and holding the No. 1 spot in FIBA’s power rankings. Led by three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić of the Denver Nuggets, who is participating and already making waves, they have a stacked roster including Bogdan Bogdanović (Atlanta Hawks) and Nikola Milutinov. Their depth and chemistry make them a force—Jokić’s playmaking and scoring (he’s among the top players to watch) could carry them far.

    But even Serbia isn’t without cracks this time. Jokić, fresh off a grueling NBA season and the 2024 Olympics (where Serbia earned silver), might face fatigue as the tournament progresses into its knockout stages ending September 14. Their overreliance on Jokić could be exploited if opponents like Greece force him into foul trouble or double-teams—something Giannis, with his defensive versatility, is uniquely equipped to handle. Historically, Serbia has dominated (runners-up in 2017), but in a field where other teams are depleted, any slip-up (e.g., injuries to supporting players like Vasilije Micić) could open the door. For Greece, avoiding Serbia until the finals might be key, but this isn’t the unbeatable juggernaut of past cycles.

    As Serbia’s captain and all-time leading scorer, Bogdanović brings irreplaceable experience and clutch performance to the squad. His elite three-point shooting (often around 40-50% in international play), playmaking, and ability to create off the dribble complement Jokić’s interior dominance, forming a dynamic inside-out threat that opponents struggle to contain. Without him, Serbia’s offense becomes more predictable, relying heavily on Jokić, which could lead to fatigue for the superstar center or force less experienced players like Vasilije Micić or Ognjen Jaramaz into expanded roles they’re not fully prepared for. Defensively, his length and instincts help guard multiple positions, a loss that’s particularly felt against versatile wings from teams like Germany or Greece. Despite Nikola Jokić’s NBA dominance, the Basketball Federation of Serbia selected Bogdanović as the top player for the year, recognising his consistent international impact over Jokić’s occasional absences. His injury changes everything.

    Germany: World Champs With Lingering Questions

    As the reigning FIBA World Cup champions from 2023, Germany sits at No. 2 in the power rankings with odds around +650. Their core remains intact: Dennis Schröder (Brooklyn Nets), Franz Wagner (Orlando Magic), Moritz Wagner (Orlando Magic), and Daniel Theis (New Orleans Pelicans) are all suiting up, providing NBA-caliber talent across positions. Franz Wagner, in particular, ranks among the top NBA players at the tournament.

    Yet, Germany is weaker than their 2023 squad due to the absence of some depth pieces and the toll of recent international play. The Wagner brothers and Schröder played heavy minutes in the 2024 Olympics (Germany exited in the quarters), and fatigue could set in during a condensed EuroBasket schedule. Moreover, their frontcourt lacks the dominant size to consistently counter superstars like Giannis or Jokić— Theis is solid but not elite. Pre-tournament predictions note Germany as a contender, but not the favorite, with some analysts questioning their ability to repeat without fresh legs. For Greece, this means a winnable matchup if they meet in the knockouts; Giannis’ athleticism could overwhelm Germany’s perimeter-oriented style.

    France: A Powerhouse Gutted by Absences

    France, bronze medalists at the 2024 Olympics and No. 3 in power rankings with +900 odds, would normally be a medal lock. But this edition is arguably their weakest in years, thanks to a slew of high-profile skips. Star center Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs) is out due to health concerns (a blood clot issue), Rudy Gobert (Minnesota Timberwolves) is resting after a long season and Olympics, Mathias Lessort is absent, and Evan Fournier is also missing. Even Vincent Poirier, another key big, is sidelined.

    This leaves France’s frontcourt painfully thin—relying on players like Guerschon Yabusele and Nicolas Batum, who are talented but lack the rim protection and rebounding Gobert provides. Their perimeter game (with Isaïa Cordinier and others) is decent, but without their twin towers, they struggle against physical teams like Greece. Analysts have downgraded France significantly, with some predicting they might not even medal. For Giannis, this is a dream scenario: France’s weakened interior plays right into his slashing, dunking style, making a potential matchup a golden opportunity for Greece to advance.

    Lithuania: Missing Their Anchor in the Paint

    Lithuania, a perennial EuroBasket contender (No. 5 in rankings), thrives on tough, team-oriented play. They have Jonas Valančiūnas (Washington Wizards) anchoring the center spot, but the glaring absence is Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings), who is skipping the tournament—likely due to rest after the Olympics and NBA commitments. Sabonis’ playmaking and scoring from the post were crucial in past runs (like their 2023 World Cup semis), and without him, Lithuania’s offense lacks fluidity.

    Their guard play (Rokas Jokubaitis, etc.) is solid, but the team is vulnerable to elite bigs like Giannis, who could dominate the boards and paint. Previews highlight Lithuania as a dark horse, but the Sabonis void drops them from true favorite status. Greece, with Giannis’ brothers Thanasis and Kostas providing depth, has the physicality to exploit this—making Lithuania a beatable foe en route to a medal.

    Slovenia: Doncic’s One-Man Show Amid Fatigue Concerns

    Slovenia, powered by Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks), always punches above their weight—Dončić is No. 3 among top NBA players here. But with odds around +1200 or lower, they’re not top-tier favorites. Dončić, who slimmed down for the tournament, is fresh off a deep NBA Finals run and Olympics, raising fatigue risks—he’s already logged a historic triple-double early on.

    The supporting cast (Vlatko Čančar, Mike Tobey) is serviceable but thin—Slovenia often relies on Dončić heroics, which can falter against balanced teams. If Greece draws them, Giannis’ defense could neutralize Luka, exposing Slovenia’s lack of depth. This vulnerability makes them less threatening than in 2017, when they won gold.

    Other Contenders: Turkey, Latvia, Italy, and Spain’s Diminished Threats

    • Turkey (No. 6): Led by Alperen Şengün (Houston Rockets), they’re rising but young and inconsistent. No major absences, but their inexperience could show in knockouts—Greece’s veteran presence (Thomas Walkup, Kostas Sloukas) gives them an edge.
    • Latvia (No. 7): Kristaps Porziņģis (Atlanta Hawks? Wait, Boston Celtics) is a star, but Latvia’s overall roster lacks NBA depth. As a dark horse, they’re beatable if Porziņģis is contained.
    • Italy (No. 8): Simone Fontecchio (Miami Heat) and Danilo Gallinari lead, but Donte DiVincenzo’s skip hurts their guard play. Inconsistent historically, they’re not a major roadblock. Case in point , Fontecchio was terrible against Greece and they lost.
    • Spain: Once dominant, they’re in transition post-golden generation. With only Santi Aldama (Memphis Grizzlies) as a notable NBAer, they’re outside the top 8 and vulnerable.

    Why This Equals Greece’s Perfect Opportunity

    Greece’s roster, finalized with Giannis at the helm alongside his brothers, Walkup, and Sloukas, is built for success. In an easy Group C (with Cyprus, Georgia, Bosnia), they’ve already cruised to wins, preserving energy. The absences across Europe—over 9 noteworthy NBA players skipping, including Wembanyama and Gobert—have leveled the playing field like never before. While Serbia and Germany remain tough, the diluted competition means Greece can realistically aim for silver or bronze by navigating a softer bracket.

    For Giannis this is the moment. Post-2024 Olympics fatigue has sidelined rivals, but he’s committed and dominant. If Greece medals, it’ll be a testament to seizing this wide-open window. Basketball purists, keep watching—history might be in the making. Not because Giannis has improved but because this year Greece has the easiest path to a medal.

  • The FIBA Euro championships are a joke

    The FIBA Euro championships are a joke

    Since 1999, FIBA limits each team to only one naturalized player on the roster, which forces teams to rely mostly on native or dual-national players (passport obtained before age 16). This rule aims to maintain competitive balance and national representation authenticity. Many strong teams carefully select their one naturalized player to fill key roster gaps especially at EuroBasket tournaments from 2017 to 2025.

    Teams incorporating naturalized players often use them to address specific positional needs (e.g., point guard or centre) not adequately covered by native players, which can enhance overall team performance and competitiveness. For example, the European champion Slovenia in 2017 used the American naturalized player Anthony Randolph effectively alongside Luka Dončić. FIBA rules allow a team to have one naturalized player on their roster who obtained a passport after the age of 16. This creates a loophole for federations to recruit talented players, often from the United States, who have no genuine connection to the country they are representing. It is nationality for convenience. Tyler Dorsey, for instance, a player with Greek heritage who played for Greece in EuroBasket 2025, is still considered “naturalised” by FIBA because he received his passport after the age of 16. Other players, like Jordan Loyd for Poland and Darius Thompson for Italy, acquired citizenship to play in the tournament, despite having no prior ties. This practice is completely different from a player who has a true dual citizenship from birth or has lived in the country for a significant period. While these players may be skilled and contribute to their teams, their presence cheapens the meaning of “national team.” It transforms the competition from a battle of nations into a recruitment war, where the team with the most money and connections can simply buy a star to fill a hole in their roster.

    NBA player presence on teams correlates with stronger competitive performance. EuroBasket 2025, for instance, features numerous NBA players across several teams such as Serbia (Nikola Jokić), Germany (Franz Wagner, Dennis Schröder), and France (Bilal Coulibaly). These teams with multiple NBA players generally are regarded as favourites due to elite talent and experience. Teams relying solely on native players without naturalised players sometimes emphasise homegrown talent and strong national basketball traditions (e.g., Latvia in EuroBasket 2025) but may lack the positional flexibility or depth that naturalised players provide. Dual citizenship and naturalisation policies add complexity but offer teams strategic roster-building tools. The trend across the past 5 European Championships (approx. EuroBasket 2009, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2022/2025) shows increasing integration of NBA talent and naturalized players, with most medal-contending teams having at least one NBA player and a naturalized player selected with tactical purpose. This turns the concept of a true “national team” into a marketing opportunity for the NBA, with fans tuning in not to see national pride, but to watch their favourite players in a different jersey. It dilutes the unique style of European basketball, which traditionally emphasises team-oriented play and structured offences, a point even acknowledged by Giannis’s former coach, Darvin Ham. The focus shifts from the collective to the individual, eroding the very essence of national team competition. Teams with only native players may rely on strong local development but tend to have less roster flexibility and fewer positional specialists brought in via naturalization or NBA experience.

    Given the past 5 EuroBasket finals data winners had 1 to 4 NBA players.

    • 2022 Spain: Juancho Hernangomez (Toronto Raptors), Willy Hernangomez (New Orleans Pelicans)
    • 2017 Slovenia: Goran Dragic (Miami Heat), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks, injured during final but key player)
    • 2015 Spain: Pau Gasol (Chicago Bulls)
    • 2013 France: Tony Parker (San Antonio Spurs), Nicolas Batum (Portland Trail Blazers)
    • 2011 Spain: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies), Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder), Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves)
    • 2009 Spain: Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers

    Even outside the NBA, it is the NBA dictating who wins. More NBA players means you win basically. Is it a direct correlation? Well no, because some NBA players don’t impact games or don’t risk injury. So what are we even looking at? Some players playing to become famous while the best players are more concerned with protecting their health or getting knocked out early to return to their real work in the NBA.

    And then of course is the second problem. Naturalised players, ie completely irrelevant to the country they are playing for usually, those that didn’t even make it in the NBA but are so good compared to local talent that they get on the teams. For example:

    • Turkey: Shane Larkin (naturalized)
    • Greece: Tyler Dorsey (naturalized)
    • Montenegro: Kyle Allman Jr. (naturalized)
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina: John Roberson (naturalized)
    • Cyprus: Darral Willis (naturalized)
    • Georgia: Kamar Baldwin (naturalized)
    • Portugal: Travante Williams (naturalized)
    • Italy: Darius Thompson

    It is a bit like the old days when the NBA only allowed one negro per team “when the match was tough” as an unofficial rule between the team owners. European teams are playing a silly game with silly rules in fact by having various players naturalised but then only allowing one to play. This is covert racism which leads to a possibly dangerous type of nationalism. The winners are either teams with NBA stars (ie they have learned how to play and have been trained in the NBA) or naturalised players who are the NBA hand me downs. What sort of “national” team is it when the coach has to give instructions in English so that everyone understands?

    And that’s not even the start of the problems with this tournament. Injuries come from the players playing too many games. Is it worth it? Why are there so many super weak teams in the tournament? Players get into the temptation to smash records playing against nations that are very weak. It’s not fun to watch either.

  • Greece was better WITHOUT Giannis against Italy

    Greece was better WITHOUT Giannis against Italy

    Giannis in the game, Greece 3pts ahead

    He leaves the game, Greece 9pts ahead

    He comes back in, Greece down to 4pts ahead

    Q3 Giannis leaves the game , Greece ahead 7 points. Without Giannis, Greece ahead 11 points

    Q4 Greece ahead 13 points when Giannis enters the game.  With Giannis on the court that falls to only 9 points

    The facts speak for themselves. The Greek national team plays much better without Giannis on the floor. No two ways around it.

    But that isn’t even the start. He played virtually no defence all night, content to watch his team mates from the 3point line! Despite the fact that Italy had nobody even close to able to defend him. He made 5 turnovers, most of which were simply infantile. FIBA basketball emphasises team defence, with a smaller court and different rules (e.g., no defensive three-second violation), which can limit Giannis’ rim-protecting impact compared to the NBA. FIBA’s no defensive 3-second rule allows bigs to camp in the paint — a setup that should enhance Giannis’s elite help-defence capabilities. But no, he simply did not engage at all. If he’s not using that to deter drives or anchor switches, it’s a wasted asset.

    Five turnovers are significant in a FIBA game, where possessions are fewer due to shorter game lengths (40 minutes) and a slower pace compared to the NBA. Turnovers directly give the opponent extra opportunities, which could explain why Greece’s lead shrank during periods when Giannis was on the court (e.g., from 9 to 4 points when he returned, or from 13 to 9 points in Q4) Many of these turnovers, weren’t forced — they were bad reads, over-dribbling, or trying to “force the issue.”

    With Giannis, the offense too often bogs down into “give it to Giannis and watch” — which stagnates spacing, tempo, and creativity. If ever there was a clear case of Giannis simply getting highlights but in fact damaging his team, tonight was it. And all this on a night when most of the Italian players were terrible. Greece simply moves the ball better and plays better defence without him. It is a much more balanced team when it is not constantly looking for a Giannis highlight. Without Giannis, Greece plays more structured, disciplined team basketball — multiple ball-handlers, consistent help defense, and less reliance on any one star. This was against a weak Italian team. If Greece can’t dominate with Giannis against this, what happens against stronger competition? a bad fit for this system, this environment, and maybe even this version of the Greek team. And it’s a hard truth for fans and analysts to accept because of how dominant he is in the NBA. FIBA success requires fit, feel, and flexibility, not just individual talent. If Giannis isn’t adapting to the format — or worse, if the team has to bend around him and gets worse as a result — that’s a serious issue.

  • Settings expectations on Giannis and Greece for Euro 2025

    Settings expectations on Giannis and Greece for Euro 2025

    Greece enters EuroBasket 2025 with high hopes for ending a 16-year medal drought, and much of the nation’s ambition centers on the performance of Giannis Antetokounmpo. The expectations are clear: Greece is aiming for a podium finish, and Giannis is expected to deliver extraordinary statistics and iconic moments worthy of his NBA superstar status.

    Greece’s Medal Expectations

    Greece has not won a EuroBasket medal since 2009 but with Giannis at the helm and a roster that blends experienced leaders like Kostas Sloukas with promising talent, the team is considered a dark horse with legitimate medal ambitions. They face tough group-stage opponents, including Spain and Italy, yet pre-tournament friendlies have shown strong performances against quality teams, and the fanbase is energized for a breakthrough.

    Group Draw and Knockout Prospects

    Greece competes in Group B against Spain, Italy, Georgia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Cyprus, with the top four teams progressing to the knockout stage. The path to a medal demands not just advancing from the group but also overcoming European giants in the elimination rounds. Greece’s experience, defensive tenacity, and the inspiration drawn from Giannis serve as crucial factors. Can Giannis rise to the occasion or will he be content to simply make personal stats like he did with the Bucks this season?

    Statistical Expectations for Giannis

    Giannis is anticipated to lead all scorers at EuroBasket 2025, with projections that he may need to average at least 25 points per game for Greece to contend for a medal. FIBA rules generally reduce stat lines compared to the NBA, but Giannis’s role as primary scorer, rebounder, and playmaker should result in eye-catching numbers. The bar for Giannis is set at:

    • Scoring: 25+ points per game—potentially the highest in the tournament
    • Rebounds: 10+ per game, leveraging his athleticism and defensive skill
    • Assists: 6+ per game, given Greece’s increased transition play under coach Spanoulis

    Additionally, Giannis is expected to deliver a defining performance. Something like a 30+ point, double-digit rebound showcase against a major rival like Spain or Italy could become the tournament’s iconic highlight. Giannis needs this in order to preserve the narrative that he is fantastic and it is only his lack of good team mates that keeps him from success.

    We do NOT expect Giannis to shoot 3pt at all. In the NBA this season he shot them much less and it was still his worse year ever and one of the worse single 3pt % in the history of the NBA. Same with free throws. His worse career year in the NBA. In many respects Giannis is past his prime. He will really need to focus and hope that Euro2025 opponents are more concerned to stay healthy and avoid injury as he gallops towards them like Porzingis did in the friendly game they recently played.

    Iconic Performance and Leadership

    Tournaments are marked by unforgettable moments, and fans and analysts expect Giannis to provide the emotional and athletic centrepiece of EuroBasket 2025. His leadership during clutch possessions, ability to shine in transition, and capacity to break defensive schemes will be pivotal.

    Will Giannis reach these goals?

    The Greek national team will rely on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s elite production and leadership to push for a medal at EuroBasket 2025. From statistical dominance (25+ points, 10+ rebounds per game) to a defining tournament moment, the expectations are both high and inspiring for Greek basketball. Greece not making it to the top 4 of the tournament will clearly be an indictment on Giannis and possibly a good reason for him not to return to the Greek national team again. After so many years with no results this could be the final opportunity.

    Select relevant sources to this article:

    1. https://basketnews.com/news-228600-greece-eurobasket-2025-roster-schedule-and-scores.html
    2. https://greekcitytimes.com/2025/03/28/greece-draw-eurobasket-2025/
    3. https://sports.yahoo.com/article/3-giannis-antetokounmpo-bold-predictions-124051531.html
    4. https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy/en/news/greek-national-basketball-team-touches-down-in-cyprus-ahead-of-eurobasket-2025
    5. https://basketnews.com/news-229916-greece-vs-france-live-eurobasket.html
    6. https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/teams/49–greece/
    7. https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025-qualifiers/teams/greece
    8. https://www.nba.com/news/the-athletic-eurobasket-2025-groups-expectations
    9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece_national_football_team
    10. https://basketnews.com/news-229678-tyler-dorsey-breaks-down-eurobasket-stars-hopes-to-end-greeces-medal-drought.html

    Featured image from here https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/fiba-eurobasket-2025-qualifiers/news/locked-in-giannis-confirms-plans-for-fiba-eurobasket-2025