Giannis Antetokounmpo, after Greece's game against Belgium in the packed OAKA, signed his shirt and handed it over to a fan of the national team who has mobility problems.
Η φανέλα του @Giannis_An34 πήγε σε καλά χέρια... Spreading joy even after the end of the game! #FIBAWC #GREBEL #WinForHellas #HellasBasketball 🏀🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/qp1r0fwF6h
— Hellenic Basketball (@HellenicBF) August 28, 2022
He was eagerly waiting for him and the NBA champion of course responded to his request and not only gave him his signed jersey but proudly took a photo with him!
Of course, those spectators who were still in OAKA burst into applause and worshiped the Greek ace.
Giannis is both a leading example as a professional sports star and as a person.
In the sold-out OAKA arena where more than 19,000 fans have gathered to see the biggest basketball star of their country, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a dominant performance as Greece (4-2) eased past Belgium (3-3) 85-68 (30-15, 19-18, 15-11, 21-24) in the Second Round of the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
The Greek Freek scored 26 points on 11-for-17 shooting, grabbed 7 rebounds, and stole 2 balls for a combined 22 PIR. Tyler Dorsey added 22 points on efficient 7-for-11 shooting for 24 PIR.
The initiative belonged to the home team from the very beginning with Greece starting the match with a 9-2 run. Following a Kostas Papanikolaou layup, the lead increased to 19 (28-9), and the favorites never looked back.
Although Belgium tried to mount a comeback several times during the game, all efforts were ultimately denied.
All 12 players on the Greek roster appeared on the court. Interestingly though, only 7 of them scored. Almost half of Greece's points (42) came in the paint.
🇬🇷 OAKA arena is SOLD OUT tonight 🔥
This is a new #FIBAWC European Qualifiers attendance record with 1⃣9⃣.4⃣4⃣3⃣ supporters 👏#WinForAll pic.twitter.com/mvGBnFQWxA
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) August 28, 2022
Greece: Giannis Antetokounmpo 26 (10/14 2PT, 1/3 3PT, 3/9 FT, 7 REB), Tyler Dorsey 22 (4/5 2PT, 3/6 3PT, 5/6 FT, 4 REB), Nick Calathes 12 (4/5 2PT, 5 AST).
Belgium: Retin Obasohan 14 (2/5 2PT, 7/9 FT), Ismael Bako 12 (5/10 2PT, 9 REB), Emmanuel Lecomte 11 (2/5 2PT, 6 REB, 5 AST), Pierre-Antoine Gillet 10 (2/8 3PT, 5 REB).
READ MORE: Arenas disrespects Antetokounmpo: “He does not understand basketball yet.”
