Greece Hit by Giannis Antetokounmpo Shock

Greece's national basketball team has been rocked by an unexpected absence ahead of a critical qualifying window. According to the report, two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will not take the court with the national team during the August window of the FIBA World Cup 2027 European Qualifiers. Although the official squad announcement is due Tuesday morning, it is already confirmed that his new team, the Miami Heat, will not include the star on the list.

According to the report, Antetokounmpo's absence stems directly from a request by the Heat organisation, who want him to travel to the United States early to integrate into the team's pre-season training programme ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. It's noted that this decision follows an injury-plagued season for the 31-year-old, who was limited to just 36 appearances last year and has been sidelined since mid-March. Having joined Miami alongside Bobby Portis in a blockbuster trade that sent Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel'el Ware, Kasparas Jakucionis and significant draft assets to the Milwaukee Bucks, Antetokounmpo is said to be managed cautiously as he prepares for his first season in South Beach.

It's noted that Greece will hold its opening practice on August 14, followed by two warm-up friendlies at the Telekom Center Athens against Poland on August 22 and Cyprus on August 24, before travelling to Riga to face Ukraine on August 28. With Greece currently tied with Portugal and Georgia at 3-3 in Group I, it's emphasised that head coach Vassilis Spanoulis will face these crucial matches against Ukraine and Spain without his biggest star. Panathinaikos captain Kostas Sloukas will also be unavailable for his own reasons, though Nick Calathes and Tyler Dorsey are returning to the squad.

Image: NBC Sports