Greece has announced a 17-man roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers window, but will be without its two biggest stars – Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kostas Sloukas.
Greece and head coach Vassilis Spanoulis have called up 17 players for preparations ahead of crucial games against Ukraine in Riga on August 28 and against Spain in Athens on August 31. Greece enters the Second Round carrying a 3-3 record from the opening stage.
Greece’s 17-man squad consists of: Kostas Papanikolaou, Nick Calathes, Giannoulis Larentzakis, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Dinos Mitoglou, Panagiotis Kalaitzakis, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Vassilis Toliopoulos, Tyler Dorsey, Dimitris Moraitis, Vassilis Charalampopoulos, Nikos Rogkavopoulos, Nasos Bazinas, Omiros Netzipoglou, Dimitrios Flionis, Antonios Karagiannidis, and Nikos Persidis.
Absences of Antetokounmpo and Sloukas
The absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo is particularly significant. The Greek Basketball Federation explained that Antetokounmpo is unavailable due to a new chapter in his career following a blockbuster trade to the Miami Heat this summer.
The federation stressed that both the national team and Spanoulis wanted Antetokounmpo to participate, but it ultimately was not possible. It also explicitly clarified that finances were not responsible for his absence.
Kostas Sloukas is another major absence from the 17-man list, although the federation did not provide a specific explanation for his absence in the announcement.
Despite their absences, Greece will still have several experienced names available, including Calathes, Papanikolaou, Dorsey, and Mitoglou.
Greece will begin preparations on August 14 and will also face Poland and Cyprus in friendly games before traveling to Riga for the start of the qualifying window.
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