Greek Basketball Hit by Double Antetokounmpo Blow Ahead of FIBA World Cup
Injuries Sideline Giannis and Kostas Antetokounmpo, Leaving Thanasis as Sole Sibling on Team Greece
Team Greece, prepping for the FIBA World Cup this summer, has encountered another hurdle on its road to the tournament. Recently, news surfaced that Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time NBA MVP, would be sidelined due to his ongoing recovery from what was initially considered a minor knee surgery. Now, his younger brother Kostas Antetokounmpo, who participated in the 2021 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and the 2022 EuroBasket competition, has also been struck by an injury, as revealed by Eurohoops.
This double blow leaves only the eldest brother, Thanasis, as the sole healthy Antetokounmpo remaining on Team Greece’s roster. The absence of both Giannis and Kostas will undoubtedly impact the team’s dynamics as they prepare to compete on the global stage.
Kostas Antetokounmpo, a 6’10” power forward, had previously secured a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, the 2019-20 NBA champions. While he saw limited action in five regular season games during that time and wasn’t part of the playoff rotation, he continued to pursue his basketball career. He subsequently inked another two-way deal with the Lakers, making appearances in 15 contests during the team’s 2020-21 season. Across his three-year tenure split between the Dallas Mavericks and the Lakers, Kostas has maintained NBA averages of 1.0 points and 1.0 rebounds. His journey also saw him signing with the Chicago Bulls for a two-way deal, although he didn’t have the opportunity to play for the team’s NBA roster. Following this, he ventured into professional basketball in Turkey and Greece. Currently, Kostas is actively contributing to the Greek EuroLeague club Panathinaikos under a two-year contract, marking his first season with the team.
In the upcoming FIBA World Cup match, Team Greece will face off against Team USA, featuring Los Angeles shooting guard Austin Reaves and other talented players. The competition is set to take place next Friday in Abu Dhabi, promising an intense clash between the two teams.
As Team Greece navigates these unexpected challenges, the absence of both Giannis and Kostas Antetokounmpo will undoubtedly reshape their strategies and dynamics as they strive to leave their mark on the FIBA World Cup stage.
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