Will Giannis play for Greece in the 2021 Olympics?

While Team USA is locked in for the 2021 Olympics one of the best NBA players is still undecided if he’ll represent his home country. Will Giannis play in the Olympics for Greece?

Giannis Antetokounmpo is concerned with getting the Milwaukee Bucks past the Atlanta Hawks and into the NBA Finals. But in the back of his mind, the Greek Freak is also hoping he can represent Greece in the Olympics.

Depending on how long the Bucks run in the playoffs lasts, it could greatly impact his decision whether he ultimately does play for Greece in the 2021 Olympics.

Will Giannis play in the Olympics for Greece?

“His goal is to be at Tokyo,” Giorgos Panou, his long-time agent said on Greek television, via Euro hoops.net. “Whenever he can be available and healthy, he will play for the National Team.”

The preliminary rounds for the Tokyo Olympics begin on July 24, so the NBA Finals will have wrapped, but if the Bucks win the championship or even if they lose, Giannis won’t have much time to relax and recover from a long NBA season on the heels of the short offseason.

But it’s also contingent on Greece qualifying for the 2021 Olympics.

Obstacles that could prevent Giannis from playing in the Olympics

Greece has to win three of their qualifying games which come against Canada, China, Uruguay and the Czech Republic. Giannis and his brother Thanasis who is also on the Bucks not being on the roster make their efforts that much tougher but the third brother, Kostas, a member of the Los Angeles Lakers will be leading Greece’s efforts in the qualifying rounds.

Giannis has yet to participate in the Olympics so you have to think he’d relish the opportunity to represent his country, even if he is fatigued at the end of what Bucks fans are hoping is a championship season.

But even if Giannis doesn’t participate, he won’t be the only big-time NBA star to bow out. LeBron James and Stephen Curry are among the notable members to withdraw from Team USA.