FILE – Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo during the Basketball World Cup on September 9, 2019. (Photo by Nicolas ASFOURI / AFP)
NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points to lead Greece to a 86-70 drubbing of Spain in a friendly encounter Tuesday evening at indoor Athens Olympic Stadium before 16,000 spectators.
The Milwaukee Bucks power forward gained his highest points performance ever with the Greek squad with seven of 10 free throws, 9 of 10 two-pointers and making two of three shots for three points.
“Giannis is a special case. He came very focused, with great appetite and great will. May he have good health. When this particular player goes low and plays defense on a 4/4 he is a living example,” said Greece coach Dimitris Itoudis.
Antetokounmpo also had 10 rebounds, three assists and one steal in the 20 minutes he played in the contest.
It was his 50th appearance with the Greek team and his previous top score was 26 points.
Also hitting double figures in scoring for Greece was Dallas Mavericks guard Tyler Dorsey with 11 points.
Antetokounmpo’s two brothers also played in the game with Kostas scoring seven points and Bucks teammate Thanasis adding three points.
Kostas last played for French club Asvel but is now a free agent.
The other Antetokounmpo brother, Alex who will play for Bucks’ affiliate NBA G League side Wisconsin Herd, was cut from the team last week.
Spain was led in scoring by New Orleans Pelicans center Willy Hernangomez with 15 points.
Greece will meet Spain again on Thursday in Madrid and then the squad prepares for 2023 World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Belgium later this month.
On September 1, the Greeks will begin play in Eurobasketin Group C alongside Estonia, Ukraine, Britain, Italy and Croatia.