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31 August, 2019
15 September
34 Giannis Antetokounmpo (GRE)
27/06/2017
News
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Greek Freak says of USA - 'I'll be the next one to beat them'

ATHENS (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019) - Giannis Antetokounmpo was just 11 years old when Greece shocked the United States in the Semi-Finals of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2006 in Japan but now he's an NBA All-Star and the best known player in his national team.

He's also supremely confident in his and his Greece teammates' potential to become an elite side again, so much so that Antetokounmpo has declared that one day he'll lead his country to victory over the USA, a side that hasn't lost since the Greeks beat them 11 years ago.

"I'll be the next one to beat them," he vowed. "I'll be waiting for them somewhere."

Antetokounmpo, who has played for Greece the past three summers, made his proclamation before an exhibition game that he featured in on Sunday in Athens.

Unless the teams were to meet in a friendly, the earliest opportunity for Greece to defeat the United States will come at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 in China. Both sides will have to first claim spots in the 32-team field, something that would be done in the World Cup Qualifiers. Those get underway this November.

Greece last reached the podium of a big event in 2009 at the FIBA EuroBasket in Poland. They finished third in that tournament. With Antetokounmpo in the fold, hopes are high in the country that the Greeks will claim a top-three finish again, possibly as early as FIBA EuroBasket 2017.

Named to the All-NBA 2nd Team this season, Antetokounmpo has also been honored as the league's Most Improved Player.

FIBA