Bucks' Giannis, Ennis step closer to helping home countries to Olympics
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Tyler Ennis still have a shot at playing in this year's Olympics. The Milwaukee Bucks players have helped lead their respective countries into the knockout round in FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments.
Six teams are in each qualifying tournament, with four making the knockout round. The winner of the championship -- and only the winner -- advances to the Olympics out of the group.
Antetokounmpo's Greece team is playing in Turin, Italy. Greece won its opener on July 4, 78-53 over Iran. Antetokounmpo started and played 19:05 in the rout. He scored 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting (making 2 of 3 3-point attempts) and also had three rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks.
Greece followed that up with a comeback win -- it trailed at the half -- over Mexicso, 86-70, on Wednesday. Antetokounmpo again started and scored 21 points in 21:55 of playing time. He made 6 of 10 shots (3 of 5 of 3-point attempts) and all six of his free-throw attempted while recording five rebounds and two blocks.
Greece will play the winner of Wednesday's Croatia-Tunisia game Friday., July 8 The championship is slated for Saturday, July 9.
Ennis and Canada are playing in Manila, Philippines.
Canada opened the tournament with a 77-69 win over Turkey. The Bucks point guard started and played 16:45, scoring six points on 1-of-4 shooting (1 of 3 on 3-point shots) and 4 of 4 from the line. He also had three rebounds and two assists.
On Wednesday, Canada squeaked out a win over Senegal, 58-55. Ennis again started and played 25:31, scoring 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting -- he attempted no 3s -- and making 2 of 6 from the free-throw line. He also had three assists and one rebounds.
Canada will play in the semifinals on Saturday, July 9 with the championship being played Sunday, July 10.
