Giannis Antetokounmpo is not playing for Greece national basketball team’s friendlies although if the right schedule is to be followed, he should be available for all their activities. The Milwaukee Bucks are refusing to be blamed for this mess up.
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on against Germany during a menís basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on against Germany during a mens basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
EuroBasket 2025 rules say a player playing for a pro club should be available for their national team 28 days before the start of the tournament. Antetokounmpo posted about his readiness for the competition that will start on August 28 on August 4 but he is yet to see some action on the court.
Previous reports claimed there are money issues that still need to be ironed out although the Greek basketball federation claimed they already did their part and thought the issue is in the Bucks camp.
The latest from Greece suggest the Bucks are not satisfied with legal steps taken to insure Antetokounmpo’s health.
“Many details remain confidential, but it’s clear Milwaukee is frustrated with the Greek federation, accusing them of arrogance and amateurism,” Greek basketball insider Nikos Papadogiannis of local outlet Gazzetta wrote over the weekend.
“The Bucks cite missed insurance deadlines and a lack of transparency regarding national team activities, and they claim the federation has taken an aggressive tone in correspondence. They act like they don’t realize we hold all the cards, sources say.”
Greece basketball team coach Vassilis Spanoulis
Jul 30, 2024; Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France; Greece coach Vassilis Spanoulis reacts against Spain in a men’s basketball group stage match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
The reporter also said that the Bucks will need “some form of apology or player intervention if things go wrong.”
Milwaukee Bucks have softened already?
Papadogiannis’ report is about how the Bucks felt during the whole process of the Greek Freak’s commitment to the Greece basketball team although it appears that things are working out now.
Giannis, who is with his brothers Thanasis and Kostas in the team, has already been spotted in team activities.
Another reporter Harris Stavrou of Sport 24 also said that the two-time MVP is scheduled to play on Wednesday.
USATSI 23923702
Aug 6, 2024; Paris, France; Greece small forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after their loss against Germany during a mens basketball quarterfinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Giannis Antetokounmpo was a FULL participant in today’s practice. Greek Freak plans on playing against Kristaps’ Porzingis Latvia on Wednesday in Athens. This will be his first game in 113 days, ahead of the EuroBasket 2025.
Watch the game here 👇 https://t.co/ad1gbNqSh5
— Harris Stavrou (@harris_stavrou) August 16, 2025
For more great Wisconsin sports content
Follow us @WiSportsHeroics for the latest and trending news about Packers, Brewers, Bucks, Marquette, and the rest of Wisconsin Sports. Stay updated by reading more of our Wisconsin Sports articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!