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Thanasis Antetokounmpo helps Giannis-less Greece take off to a winning start in the FIBA World Cup

Thanasis steps up in the absence of brothers Giannis and Kostas.
Matthew Dugandzic|
© Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

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Milwaukee Bucks

The Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Greece opened its 2023 FIBA World Cup with a convincing win, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo had his fingerprints all over the one-sided victory.

Thanasis stepped up in the absence of his brothers Giannis and Kostas, putting up a solid all-around game to help the Greek national team overcome a Jordan team powered by former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, 92-71.

Thanasis makes his presence felt

As a starter, Thanasis finished with nine points, five rebounds, three steals, one block, and an assist in a solid 18 minutes of play.

Giannoulis Larentzakis led Greece in scoring with 19 points, while Thomas Walkup and Ioannis Papapetrou added 13 points apiece.

Greece had a slim 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter but broke the game wide open with a 27-19 run in the second period. Thanasis was instrumental in that pivotal run in the second period, where he logged two points, one rebound, a steal, an assist,  and a block.

Tough assignment ahead

Greece is grouped with the favorite Team USA in Group C, as the games are played in the Philippines. Also in Group C is New Zealand.

Greece’s next assignment will be against the Americans today, which will see Thanasis go up against Bucks teammate Bobby Portis Jr. Without the Greek Freak, the odds are stacked against Greece in this crucial game against the Americans.

In the absence of Giannis, arguably the best player in the Greek nation, Thanasis said the team will just have to “cover the space and the loss of some players” as they gun for a spot in the second round.

“Just play hard and focus, we got to focus and enjoy the game,” Thanasis said in a report by Inquirer.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.