Giannis Antetokounmpo is at the center of attention as the Greek national basketball team gets ready for EuroBasket 2025. An unexpected moment in a warm-up game has taken social media by storm. During a team huddle, a clip of Antetokounmpo slapping teammate Giannoulis Larentzakis on the back of the head went viral, leaving fans and pundits buzzing about whether the gesture was playful or crossed a line.
Why Did Giannis Antetokounmpo Slap Giannoulis Larentzakis During the Greek Team Huddle?
During Greece’s pre-tournament matchup against Montenegro in Athens on August 16, Antetokounmpo was active on the bench even though he didn’t play. The Milwaukee Bucks superstar was often seen animated, talking with his teammates and staying engaged throughout the game.
The now-famous clip shows Antetokounmpo tapping Larentzakis on the back of the head. Some fans quickly called the act unnecessary, pointing out that Larentzakis is older than Antetokounmpo. Others saw it as lighthearted and typical banter among teammates.
The reaction online was swift and divided. One user posted about it on X, “Cheap shot. Should be fined,” sparking a debate about boundaries in team interactions.
Cheap shot. Should be fined.
— Steve Marshall (@SteveMarshSA) August 16, 2025
Another fan weighed in on the respect angle, writing, “It shows no quality and respect towards the Greek team.”
It shows no quality and respect towards the Greek team .
— Satoshi Teslamoto (@makiscalfeng) August 17, 2025
Meanwhile, others felt people were overanalyzing a typical locker-room moment. One comment simply said, “This is how Greeks interact and get a message across.”
This is how Greeks interact and get a message across.
— Phill T (@philltee) August 17, 2025
Some fans defended Antetokounmpo, suggesting Larentzakis might’ve said something that led to the slap, though nothing obvious can be seen in the video.
A few fans pointed out that moments like these are pretty normal for Giannis, even pointing out his passionate side on the court.
Even for those who took the slap as playful, some still felt it wasn’t in good taste for Antetokounmpo.
Love Giannis, but not a good look here.
— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) August 16, 2025
What Does This Mean for Antetokounmpo and the Greek National Team’s EuroBasket Run?
Greek national team head coach Vassilis Spanoulis backed Antetokounmpo’s approach, saying, “Giannis brings energy to every practice and every huddle. His teammates know him and understand his passion.” Spanoulis chose to play down the incident, instead focusing on how Antetokounmpo uplifts the squad.
On August 16, Antetokounmpo officially joined in full team practices after getting clearance from the Bucks. He had been working out solo before, but was not involved in full-contact sessions until now. The Akropolis Tournament will serve as his first appearance this summer with games against Latvia, Italy, and France, leading up to EuroBasket’s August 27 start.
Greece is heading into a tough Group C, with Italy, Spain, Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and host Cyprus all fighting for a spot in the knockout stage in Riga, Latvia. The top four squads from the group will move on, so every game counts.
While the slap made plenty of headlines, it does not look set to distract the team. Deep-rooted relationships, especially Antetokounmpo’s connection with Larentzakis going back to their high school days, help keep the focus on basketball. The hope around Greece is that Antetokounmpo’s energy on and off the court will guide them to a standout performance at EuroBasket 2025.
