Nigerian Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo starts the 2024 Olympics with 34 points as Greece loses to Canada in the opener.
Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 34 points, but Canada won 86-79 to defeat Greece in their opening group game of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
07:20 - 27.07.2024
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Nigerian Freak shines as Flag bearer for Greece at Paris 2024 Olympics
See what Nigerian Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo has to say after a shining moment as Flag bearer for Greece at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
For the Jordi Fernandez-coached side, RJ Barrett scored a team-high 23 points, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander contributed 21 points, seven assists, and five rebounds.
16:50 - 23.07.2024
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Greek-Nigerian NBA star unveils Freak 6 signature shoe
Nigerian Freak Giannis Antetokounmpo unveils Freak 6 signature shoe ahead of being the flagbearer for Greece at the 2024 Olympics.
Despite fouling out with three minutes remaining in the Gameday 1 match of the 2024 Olympic preliminary round, Dillon Brooks finished with 14 points.
Captain of Greece Kostas Papanikolaou contributed 17 points, nine of which came from three three-pointers made in the opening quarter.
Greece lose to Canada
The winners took an early lead, leading 22–9 to set the tone.
Vassilis Spanoulis’ team cut the deficit to two points, but Canada had established a comfortable 10-point lead by halftime, leading 48–38.
With seven minutes remaining, their lead had increased to 16 points (56–40), but Greece had struck back hard, cutting the deficit to four points (72–68).
With little over a minute remaining, Giannis' incredible slam put Greece on the edge of victory as they rallied once more to cut the lead to two points.
However, Canada held on to improve to 1-0 in the group stage.
Greece plays Spain on Tuesday, and Canada plays Australia in Gameday 2 of Group B.
Background
Greek and Nigerian professional basketball player Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo was chosen to be the flag bearer at the Olympics.
The two-time MVP was overcome with passion as he carried the Greek flag in Paris.
Greece was unable to secure a spot in the 2016 Olympics with Antetokounmpo's assistance.
Greece's basketball team's outstanding qualifying performance earned them a spot in the Olympics this year.
The Bucks star has always had a strong sense of national pride, and now he has the opportunity to give Greece a medal on the biggest platform in the world.
For more than ten years, Giannis Antetokounmpo has led the Milwaukee Bucks both on and off the court, making him the team's face.
As Greece's flag bearer, he led the country down the Seine River, and the guy known as the Greek Freak was the first person everyone saw during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.