Larry Sanders says Giannis Antetokounmpo could be a great player
By Mike Dyce
The Milwuakee Bucks drafted Greek forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and are already singing his praises. Bucks center Larry Sanders has already talked to Antetokounmpo and given him some tips and advice.
“He has a lot of potential and a lot of things you can’t teach as far as length and size,” Sanders said. “His ability to be a sponge and absorb everything he can is really what is going to take him over the edge.
“He has all the attributes to be a great player.”
Antetokounmpo is keeping his head down and is just focusing on his immediate goals.
“Every day train hard,” he said. “And when the season comes the coach will allow me to play.”
He is also bringing his family to the States as well.
“They’re looking forward to coming to the U.S.,” he said. “They haven’t left Greece before.”
Antetokounmpo has travelled playing for Greece. He represented Greece in the Under-20 European Championship this summer and wasn’t satisfied with his performance.
“No,” he said. “I was not satisfied with my performance. What can I do? I’m going to try next year.
“If the team had taken a medal, maybe I would have been OK. But we didn’t take a medal. I didn’t play (great).”
Antetokounmpo averaged 8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists.
That experience could be invaluable though.
“I had never played against the best guys in Europe before, to see what I’ve got, and it was a very good experience,” Antetokounmpo said.
“We had 10 games in 13 days. We had some guys on our team who were very good shooters and scorers. If I can’t do that, I have to do something else. Defense, blocking (shots) and rebounding.”