Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo has not played basketball in nearly two months due to a mysterious leg injury. However, the Greek Freak will suit up for Greece to help the country's bid to qualify for this year's Paris games, according to national team coach Vassilis Spanoulis.
Spanoulis, per Eurohoops, confirmed Antetokounmpo's involvement with the national team, but did not specify the extent. “Giannis will be present with the national team in the Olympic Games Qualifiers,” the national team coach said.
Antetokounmpo's Greece stints began in 2013 for the U-20 national squad. He last appeared in a Greece uniform in the 2022 EuroBasket, where he was part of the all-tournament team and was the leading scorer.
Leg injury sidelined Giannis Antetokounmpo in Bucks' first-round exit
The Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo has not played a basketball game since going down with a non-contact leg injury late in the third quarter of their 104-91 win against the Boston Celtics last April 9. He missed the entire Bucks playoff run, which ended in the first round at the hands of eventual Eastern Conference finalist Indiana Pacers.
Giannis later admitted he could not come to the aid of the Bucks, as he could not clear the tests required to clear his way back to the court.
“I tried my best to come back to help my teammates,” Antetokounmpo said Friday. “It's kind of hard to see them being out there and not being able to help them, but I just couldn't.
“I did all the tests I had to do, these like protocols you have to follow and have to check the boxes. I wasn't even close at checking the boxes.”
Giannis, Bucks disappoint after early end to season
The Bucks had a promising start to their 2023-24 campaign, particularly following a blockbuster trade that brought former Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest. However, it was a myriad of injuries and drama that painted the team's season.
The Bucks started off with a 30-13 record, but abruptly fired first-year Head Coach Adrian Griffin. They later hired veteran Coach Doc Rivers, who was working as an analyst for ESPN at the time. Following the Giannis injury, Damian Lillard struggled through an Achilles injury midway in the first round series against the Pacers.
Despite the coaching and personnel changes, compounded by the Giannis injury, Milwaukee limped out of contention with their second-straight first round exit. They are now three seasons removed from their second NBA title, and the Bucks are looking for answers that would allow them to return to the top of the mountain.
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