Why is Giannis Antetokounmpo Not Playing in the FIBA World Cup 2023?

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has already started, and fans all over the world have been buzzing. The World Cup 2023 is being hosted by multiple nations i.e., Indonesia, Philippines, and Japan. But the news just broke the hearts of the fans, as Giannia Antetokoumpo will miss the World Cup. Along with being the forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, he is also the captain of Greece’s national team. It is bad news for the Greece basketball team. 

Antetokounmpo’s Injury

During the season with the Miami Heat, Giannis Antetokoumpo was injured. He played really well, but unfortunately, the Milwaukee Bucks lost in their first round to the Heat. This is the second time Miami defeated the Bucks in the past four seasons. 

Just after the season, Giannis went through the left knee surgery. While the procedure wasn’t deemed to be overly serious, it seems that recovery hasn’t gone as smoothly as hoped. He is a huge loss to the national team for the FIBA World Cup. 

What does Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Absence Mean for Greece’s FIBA World Cup Hopes?

Giannis isn’t just a scorer for the Greek squad; he is their talisman. He provides leadership, inspiration, and a winning mentality. Greece was hoping to leverage this all-encompassing influence to ascend the World Cup ladder, especially with the added support of players like Thomas Walkup, who was recently naturalized. 

Without Giannis, Greece faces a significant uphill battle. The team will now have to recalibrate their strategies and lineups, all while managing the psychological toll of losing their best player. In essence, their road to FIBA World Cup glory has become considerably more challenging.

Greece’s FIBA World Cup Lineup Without Giannis

The absence of a player of Giannis’ caliber will inevitably require tactical shifts. The team will have to find new ways to score, defend, and, most importantly, lead. Eyes will turn towards the supporting cast, who will need to step up in Giannis’ absence. Players like Nick Calathes, Kostas Sloukas, and the newly naturalized Walkup will have to play bigger roles both offensively and defensively.

Also Read: FIBA World Cup Winners List

Greece’s Chances of Winning FIBA World Cup 2023 Without Giannis

Realistically, losing a global superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo diminishes Greece’s chances of a World Cup victory. However, they are not out of the tournament yet. Greece still has the talent to get them through the tournament. They can perform well in this international competition.