Lithuania, Italy, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Spain, Croatia and Latvia qualified to the semis of their respective Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

Walkup, Wetzell, Willy step up in pre-Olympic qualifiers

### Lithuania rallies late, Italy qualifies without playing

Lithuania picked up its second win at San Juan, Puerto Rico, by rallying to beat the Ivory Coast 97-93. The Lithuanians trailed for the majority of the second half and were down by 9 points early in the fourth quarter, but Marius Grigonis and Domantas Sabonis combined to score 12 points before Lukas Lekavicius nailed a three-pointer to cut the gap to 80-83.

More baskets from Sabonis and Grigonis helped Lithuania erase the deficit and a floater from Lekavicius with 1:09 remaining put Lithuania up 92-90. Jean Philippe Dally restored the lead for the Ivory Coast with a triple, but Lekavicius answered with another triple 41 seconds before the final buzzer to make it 95-93. Grigonis iced the game from the free-throw line, as he scored 14 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, and also dished 7 assists. Sabonis had 22 points and 9 rebounds, while Lekavicius finished with 13 points.

In the other game in this tournament, the host nation Puerto Rico beat Bahrain 99-56. That result meant that both Puerto Rico and Italy qualified for the semifinals.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dramatic W &amp; first place in the group stage. ✅<br><br>🇱🇹 97 - 93 🇨🇮<br><br>Zalgiris players stats: <br><br>Ulanovas: 10 PTS | 8 REB | 4 AST | 22 EFF<br>Lekavicius: 13 PTS | 1 REB | 2 AST | 12 EFF<br>Butkevicius: 5 PTS | 6 REB | 3 AST | 9 EFF<br>Dimsa: 3 PTS | 1 REB | 1 AST<br>Sirvydis - <a href="https://t.co/BXaHLd0OLr">pic.twitter.com/BXaHLd0OLr</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1808652455627935930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 4, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### New Zealand beats Croatia, Greece wins

Greece took a solid step forwards in its tournament opener by downing the Dominican Republic 82-109 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium. Giannis Antetokounmpo led the way with 32 points on 11 of 11 shooting. Thomas Walkup of Olympiacos Piraeus added 17 points, Nick Calathes of AS Monaco had 12 while Georgios Papagiannis of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul got 10 for Greece. Olympiacos captain Kostas Papanikolaou and Walkup each struck from downtown, then Konstantinos Mitoglou of Panathinaikos added a jumper for a 15-24 Greek lead after 10 minutes. Giannis Antetokounmpo was all over the place in the second quarter, getting help from Papagiannis and Vassilis Toliopoulos of Aris Midea Thessaloniki, boosting their team's lead to 41-56 at halftime. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Walkup kept pacing Greece after the break, as their team kept a 65-80 margin after 30 minutes, extended it to 69-90 soon after that and never looked back. 

New Zealand had a strong start of the tournament by rallying to beat Croatia 86-90 in Group A. New Zealand is 1-0 in Group A and Croatia finished it with a 1-1 record, qualifying to the next round despite the loss. Corey Webster led the winners with 21 points. Shea Ili added 18 while Yanni Wetzell of ALBA Berlin had 10 points and 5 rebounds for the Tall Blacks. Ivica Zubac led Croatia with 29 points and 16 rebounds. All-EuroLeague forward Mario Hezonja of Real Madrid added 19 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

Zubac and Dario Saric got Croatia going, then Hezonja's three-pointer gave his team a 18-12 lead. Thomas Vodanovich and Wetzell kept the Tall Blacks within 29-26 after 10 minutes. New Zealand took a 42-50 lead early in the second quarter behind an outstanding Webster. Hezonja, Zubac and Dario Dreznjak allowed Croatia to regain a 60-55 edge at halftime. Zubac kept pacing Croatia after the break, getting help from Hezonja and Jaleen Smith for a 79-74 score after 30 minutes. Webster and Ili allowed the Tall Blacks to tie it at 86-86 in the next-to-last minute. Ili completed his team's comeback, 86-88, already in the final minute and Izayah Le'afa sealed the deal from the foul line.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hellas dominate as Giannis puts on a show in front of the home crowd 🇬🇷<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAOQT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAOQT</a> <a href="https://t.co/0D5OEg17KY">pic.twitter.com/0D5OEg17KY</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1808590456764211259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Montenegro stays alive, Philippines win

Montenegro bounced back from its initial loss in Group B by edging Cameroon 70-66. Montenegro finished the group stage with a 1-1 record and Cameroon is 0-1. Marko Simonovic of Bahcesehir College Istanbul led the winners with 18 points.

Simonovic stepped up for Montenegro early and Kendrick Perry struck from downtown for a 16-13 lead after 10 minutes. Cameroon took a 29-32 lead at halftime, then Montenegro used a 15-2 run after the break to build a double-digit margin, 44-34. Montenegro led 49-42 at the end of the third quarter and then again to 64-59 already in the final minute. Dino Radonjic and Simonovic kept Montenegro ahead down the stretch.

The Philippines started its Olympic Qualifying Tournament with a bang by beating Latvia 80-89 in Riga. The Philippines are now 1-0 in Group A while Latvia qualified despite its loss due to its 83-55 victory over Georgia. Justin Brownlee led the winners with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists. Rodions Kurucs led Latvia with 18 points. Gilas Pilipinas opened the game with an 0-8 run and already led 16-32 after 10 minutes. The Philippines kept a 38-54 margin at halftime and extended it to 56-77 at the end of the third quarter, enough to keep full control of the game until the final buzzer. 

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇲🇪 Montenegro used a dominant Q3 to shake off a valiant Cameroon! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAOQT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAOQT</a> <a href="https://t.co/ov07WMoxjv">pic.twitter.com/ov07WMoxjv</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1808508445659632016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

### Bahamas, Spain remain undefeated

Spain clinched first place in its group by topping Angola 89-81 in Valencia. Spain finished the group stage with a 2-0 record. Angola faced the Lebanon in a do-or-die game for second place tomorrow. Santi Aldama led Spain with 24 points. FC Barcelona center Willy Hernangomez added 22 and 10 rebounds for Spain. Jilson Bango led Angola with 15 points. Silvio de Sousa added 14 and 6 rebounds.  Hernangomez allowed Spain to get a 22-17 lead after 10 minutes. Angola raised its physicality in the second quarter but Valencia Basket center Jaime Pradilla's tip-in fixed the halftime score at 46-43. Dario Brizuela of Barca and Lorenzo Brown of Panathinaikos helped Spain boost its margin to 68-59 after 30 minutes. Three-time EuroLeague champion Rudy Fernandez buried a three-pointer that sealed the outcome, 79-67, as Angola never recovered. 

Bahamas grabbed its second win in as many ways at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament by topping Poland 90-81 at La Fonteta in Valencia, Spain. Bahamas finished the group stage with a 2-0 record. Poland faces Finland in a do-or-die showdown for second place tomorrow. Valdez Edgecombe Jr led the winners with 21 points. Olek Balcerowski led Poland with 22 points. Jeremy Sochan added 16 while Mateusz Ponitka had 13 for Poland. Buddy Hield and DeAndre Ayton allowed Bahamas to build a quick 17-9 lead. Samuel Hunter's dunk fixed the score at 30-20 after 10 minutes. Hields took over in the second quarter, allowing Bahamas to extend its margin to 50-38. Bahamas stayed strong after the break, boosting its lead to 73-59 at the end of the third quarter. A.J. Slaughter and Balcerowski ignite the Polish rally, bring their team within 85-79 with 2 minutes left. Edgecombe Jr followed a driving layup with a three-pointer to seal the outcome.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 🇪🇸<br><br>Perfect record and a ticket to the semi-finals 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAOQT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAOQT</a> <a href="https://t.co/V3gcG3AEbo">pic.twitter.com/V3gcG3AEbo</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1808600481184235833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>

Lithuania, Italy, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Spain, Croatia and Latvia qualified to the semis.

Olimpia Milano bulked up its frontline with Ousmane Diop, who arrives from Italian side Dinamo Sassari. 

Olimpia Milano brings in power forward Ousmane Diop 

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan has bulked up its frontline with Ousmane Diop, who arrives from Italian side Dinamo Sassari. He signed a two-year deal on Wednesday. 

Diop (2.04 meters, 24 years old) averaged 11.5 points on 60.5% two-point shooting and 5.3 rebounds in the Italian League last season. He was fifth in the league in offensive rebounding with 2.4 per game. Diop produced 11.3 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals in the Basketball Champions League.

<center>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="it" dir="ltr">La Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano comunica di aver raggiunto un accordo fino alla stagione 2025/26 compresa con Ousmane Diop, centro di 2.04 nato in Senegal a Rufisque il 19 febbraio 2000, proveniente dalla Dinamo Sassari.<br><br>🇮🇹 Comunicato ufficiale 👉🏻 <a href="https://t.co/0yLbm8nxuh">https://t.co/0yLbm8nxuh</a><br>🇬🇧… <a href="https://t.co/zmK0jMOknt">pic.twitter.com/zmK0jMOknt</a></p>&mdash; Olimpia Milano (@OlimpiaMI1936) <a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936/status/1808539314810171412?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></center>


A native of Senegal, Diop made his professional debut as a 16-year-old with APU Udine. He joined Sassari on a four-year deal in 2018 and later signed an extension. In that time, Diop also played on loan at Dinamo Cagliari and Basket Torino. He was chosen as the Italian League’s most improved player for the 2022-23 season.

More Milan News

New EA7 Emporio Armani Milan signing Ousmane Diop in action for Dinamo Sassari in the Italian League last season.

He was the Italian League’s most improved player for the 2022-23 season

Milan brings in power forward Ousmane Diop 

Crvena Zvezda lands playmaker Codi Miller-McIntyre

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade brought in a new weapon for its backcourt by signing [Codi Miller-McIntyre](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/eurocup/players/codi-miller-mcintyre/009048/), who made history in his debut Turkish Airlines EuroLeague campaign last season with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz. Miller-McIntyre (1.91 meters, 30 years old) averaged 9.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and a league-best 7.3 assists last season in helping Baskonia reach the playoffs.

### A game for the ages

Miller-McIntyre boosted his numbers against Real Madrid in the playoffs, where he averaged 14.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists, though it was not enough as Los Blancos won the series 3-0. He made EuroLeague history in February when he exploded for 11 points, 11 rebounds and a EuroLeague single-game record 20 assists in a victory over LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne. Miller-McIntyre became just the third player in competition history to ever record a triple-double.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="sr" dir="ltr">Рекордер Евролиге по броју асистенција на једној утакмици и најбољи асистент лиге у сезони 2023/24 нови је кошаркаш Црвене звезде Меридианбет! <br><br>Welcome to Crvena zvezda, <a href="https://twitter.com/CMMPatience?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CMMPatience</a>! 🔴⚪️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kkcz?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kkcz</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreTheTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreTheTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/GAtElXqpGw">pic.twitter.com/GAtElXqpGw</a></p>&mdash; KK Crvena zvezda Meridianbet (@kkcrvenazvezda) <a href="https://twitter.com/kkcrvenazvezda/status/1808519269719719982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

### Four seasons in the EuroCup

Before exploding onto the EuroLeague scene, Miller-McIntyre played four seasons in the EuroCup with Zenit St. Petersburg (2018-19), Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana (2019-20), Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade (2020-21) and MoraBanc Andorra (2021-22). He has also played for Leuven Bears in Belgium, Perm in Russia, the Texas Legends in the G League, JL Bourg-en-Bresse in France and Gaziantep in Turkiye. Now he returns to Belgrade for a second stint in the Serbian capital with the archenemy of Partizan.  

Codi Miller-McIntyre and the fourth triple-double in EuroLeague history

More Miller-McIntyre news

The point guard set the EuroLeague single-game record for assists last season, his first in the EuroLeague

Real Madrid reloaded its backcourt by signing Andres Feliz, who was one of the brightest stars in the BKT EuroCup last season. 

Real Madrid snags All-EuroCup guard Andres Feliz

Real Madrid reloaded its backcourt by signing [Andres Feliz](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/andres-feliz/011247/), who was one of the brightest stars in the BKT EuroCup last season, on a three-year deal, the club announced Wednesday. Feliz (1.85 meters, 26 years old) shined bright in his third season in the competition for Joventut Badalona. He ranked sixth in the EuroCup in assists (5.1 apg) and third in steals (2.1 spg). Feliz also led Joventut in scoring (14.7 ppg) and was second in rebounds (4.7 rpg).

Feliz was at his best in the eighthfinals when he led Joventut to a 79-88 road win at ratiopharm Ulm with 28 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists. His 12 baskets made in that game helped Feliz earn the Eighthfinals MVP honor. He was later selected for the All-EuroCup Second Team. Feliz

Best of Andres Feliz: 2023-24

A native of the Dominican Republic, Feliz played college basketball at Northwest Florida State College and at University of Illinois. He began his professional career in Spain where he first played for Joventut’s affiliated team, CB Prat. Before joining Joventut for good in 2021.  He is now set to make his Turkish Airlines EuroLeague debut with Real Madrid.

More Real Madrid news

Feliz was among the EuroCup leaders in assists and steals last season

Kostas Sloukas wrote his name further into the history books by leading Panathinaikos BC to a seventh EuroLeague championship.

Tribute to the Champs: Kostas Sloukas

When all was said and done, [Kostas Sloukas](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-sloukas/001926/) had one of the most memorable seasons in Turkish Airlines EuroLeague history. After his switch from Olympiacos Piraeus to arch-rival Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens last summer, which shocked many on the old continent, Sloukas slowly found his groove with the Greens.

He scored in double figures in just half of his first 18 appearances, then suffered an injury that forced to miss four games. But Sloukas came back at the end of February as the player everyone in and around Panathinaikos hoped he would be.

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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C7gT53WIuVk/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Kostas Sloukas (@kos_slou)</a></p></div></blockquote>

The 34-year-old averaged 15.0 points and 6.4 assists in that final stretch of the regular season, then shined with 15.2 points, 5.6 assists and 4.6 rebounds in a five-game playoff series against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv. Sloukas earned MVP of the Round honors in a do-or-die Game 4, too.

Then, at the Final Four, Sloukas was mostly a non-factor offensively in the semifinals, scoring just 4 points in a low-scoring win over Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. However, he then stepped up on the biggest of stages of them all.

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard Kostas Sloukas had a performance that will go down in history during the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game, netting 24 points on almost perfect shooting percentages across the board: 2 for 2 on two-pointers, 4 for 4 on threes and 8 for 9 from the free-throw line. He also grabbed 2 rebounds, dished 3 assists, drew 7 fouls and had a 31 PIR, the joint third-highest PIR in a championship game ever. Ten and a half months after switching Olympiacos Piraeus for Panathinaikos, the 34-year-old Sloukas was able to lift his fourth EuroLeague title and secure the Greens’ seventh continental crown, something they had not achieved in 13 years.

Kostas Sloukas: A EuroLeague Championship Game for the ages

In the championship game, Sloukas orchestrated a Panathinaikos rally from 14 points down to an 80-95 win. He finished with 24 points after shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, along with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. 

Sloukas was named as the Final Four MVP and forever etched his name in European basketball history as just the second-ever player to win four EuroLeague championships with three different teams.

As just the third man in the 21st century to win four EuroLeague titles, Sloukas indeed wrote one of the more memorable chapters in competition history, leading Panathinaikos to its seventh EuroLeague crown.

Tribute to the Champs

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens guard Kostas Sloukas poses with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague trophy.

The 34-year-old is just the third player in the 21st century to win four EuroLeague titles

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv announced that it has signed swingman Levi Randolph on a multi-year contract. 

Maccabi plucks Levi Randolph from rival Jerusalem

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv announced that it has signed swingman Levi Randolph. The contract is for one season with an option for a second. Randolph (1.98 meters, 31 years old) has spent the past two seasons with Maccabi’s Israeli League rival Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem. 

He averaged 16.2 points on 42.2% three-point shooting, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 12 Basketball Champions League games last season. Randolph was selected to the All-BCL Second Team for the second straight season. He also posted 16.5 points on 40.2% three-point shooting, 2.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in the Israeli League.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="iw" dir="rtl">ברוך הבא למכבי, ליוואי רנדולף!<br>כל הפרטים &gt; <a href="https://t.co/X4ioFxr0Eq">https://t.co/X4ioFxr0Eq</a> <a href="https://t.co/RK5pQlP8U9">pic.twitter.com/RK5pQlP8U9</a></p>&mdash; Maccabi Tel Aviv BC 🇮🇱​ (@MaccabiTLVBC) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaccabiTLVBC/status/1808418211244687724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Randolph began his professional career in his native United States with the Maine Red Claws in the G League and has also suited up for Avellino and Dinamo Sassari in Italy, Strasbourg in France, Canton in the G League, the New Zealand Breakers in the Australian League and Oostende in Belgium. He was the Belgian League MVP while leading Oostende to the championship in 2022. Randolph also won the French Cup with Strasbourg in 2015.

"Levi Randolph fits our plans for the small forward position," Maccabi coach Oded Kattash told the club's official website. "Naturally, we have seen him closely the last two years and in addition to his professional skills on the court, this is a player who is a leader in the locker room, tough and someone who can help us in the challenges ahead."

More Maccabi news

The swingman is poised to make his EuroLeague debut this season 

Maccabi plucks Levi Randolph from rival Jerusalem 

All-EuroLeague forward Mario Hezonja started his day on Tuesday by signing a five-year deal with Real Madrid, and he finished it with another bang, helping Croatia to a resounding 108-92 win over Luka Doncic and Slovenia on the opening night of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus Greece.

Hezonja caps his big day with a shocker over Doncic, Slovenia

All-EuroLeague forward Mario Hezonja started his day on Tuesday by [signing a five-year deal with Real Madrid](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/news/mario-hezonja-renews-at-real-madrid/), and he finished it with another bang, helping Croatia to a resounding 108-92 win over Luka Doncic and Slovenia on the opening night of the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus Greece.

Hezonja was all over the court as he posted 12 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals. In this Group A clash, Croatia opened a double-digit lead in the first quarter, and never lost control of the game. Hezonja's tough baseline basket followed by a steal and dunk helped Croatia open a 53-73 lead early in the third quarter and Slovenia never threatened again. Croatia went on to lead by as many as 29 points in the fourth quarter before slowing down in the final minutes.

Hezonja was not the only player in the game with a major all-around contribution. His teammate Dario Saric, formerly of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, had a triple-double of 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Croatia, which dished 34 assists, had six players in double figures, including FC Bayern Munich center Danko Brankovic who scored 15 points on 7-of-7 two-point shooting in fewer than 13 minutes on the floor.

Meanwhile Doncic, a former Turkish Airlines EuroLeague MVP, had a triple-double of 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for Slovenia, which also saw Josh Nebo, last season's EuroLeague rebounding leader who recently signed for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan, collect 12 points and 9 rebounds. Both Croatia and Slovenia still face New Zealand, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the semifinals.

In the first game of the day game in Piraeus, the Dominican Republic beat Egypt 77-90 in Group B, with Andres Feliz of Joventut Badalona posting 9 points, 5 assist and 5 rebounds, with a team high +34 in a +/- column. The next test for both of these teams is against the host team – Greece.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Enjoy the flight ✈️🇭🇷 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAOQT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAOQT</a> <a href="https://t.co/BBlgHKzUBY">pic.twitter.com/BBlgHKzUBY</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1808234837511115156?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Grigonis paces Lithuania, Italy wins by 61

Italy and Lithuania opened their Olympic Qualifying Tournament in style in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Italy crushed Bahrein 114-53 behind seven scorers in double digits, including Nicolo Melli of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul who collected 14 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists and Achille Polonara of Virtus Segafredo Bologna who had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

Lithuania defeated Mexico 96-84, using a massive third quarter to open an 83-61 lead before closing out the game. Marius Grigonis, who finished his season crowned a EuroLeague champion with Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, led Lithuania with 21 points. He scored all his points in the first three quarters and shot 4-for-7 from long range. Tadas Sedekerskis of Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz added 12 points, while Lukas Lekavicius of Zalgiris Kaunas netted 10 points on 5-of-5 two-point shooting plus 5 assists.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🇱🇹 Opens the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament with a win! 🔥<br><br>🇲🇽 84 - 96 🇱🇹<br><br>Zalgiris players stats:<br><br>Lekavicius: 10 PTS | 5 AST | 14 EFF <br>Butkevicius: 7 PTS | 3 REB | 3 STL | 12 EFF<br>Ulanovas: 5 PTS | 5 REB | 2 AST | 11 EFF<br>Dimsa: 3 PTS | 1 REB | 1 AST <br>Sirvydis: 2 PTS | 2 REB <a href="https://t.co/DYPCUUzCSl">pic.twitter.com/DYPCUUzCSl</a></p>&mdash; BC Zalgiris Kaunas (@bczalgiris) <a href="https://twitter.com/bczalgiris/status/1808331864832463058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Smits, Mejeris got Latvia rolling, Caboclo stars for Brazil

On the opening day of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Riga, Latvia, the host nation handled Georgia 83-55 in Group A. Mareks Mejeris of BKT EuroCup side U-BT Cluj-Napoca tallied 7 points and a +22 in the first half and Rolands Smits of Anadolu Efes Istanbul scored 8 points as the hosts ran away to a 45-24 halftime lead. The hosts never looked back as Mejeris finished with 11 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists, while Smits added 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in the victory. Tornike Shengelia of Virtus Segafredo Bologna did not play in this game for Georgia, which saw Alexander Mamukelashvili score 14 points. Both Latvia and Georgia play the Philippines the next two days.

In the first game of the day in Riga, Bruno Caboclo of Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade scored 25 points on 11-for-15 on two-point shooting and grabbed 9 rebounds in Brazil's 81-72 win over Montenegro. Brazil trailed 13 points in the first half and was still down 54-59 early in the fourth after a three pointer by Montenegro's Marko Simonovic of Bahcesehir College Istanbul. But Caboclo's basket put Brazil in front, 61-59 midway through the fourth, and the team eventually prevailed as Yago Dos Santos of Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade contributed with 4 points and 5 assists. Simonovic finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds for Montenegro. Both Montenegro and Brazil play Cameroon in the next two days in Group B.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">📊 25 PTS | 9 REB | 3 BLK | 34 EFF<br><br>Bruno Caboclo put on a show vs Montenegro to earn TCL Player of the Game honors in a big Brazil win!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIBAOQT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIBAOQT</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/basquetebrasil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@basquetebrasil</a> <a href="https://t.co/RJVMNvsBiR">pic.twitter.com/RJVMNvsBiR</a></p>&mdash; FIBA (@FIBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIBA/status/1808164972725150120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

### Spain smashes Lebanon, Jantunen's 5 threes not enough for Finland

In the opening game of the tournament in Valencia, the Bahamas bested Finland 85-96. Mikael Jantunen of Paris Basketball scored 12 points in the first half, including connecting on 3 three-pointers from 5 attempts as Finland turned a 9-point first-quarter deficit into a 54-47 halftime lead. However, the Bahamas stormed back behind Deandre Ayton and Buddy Hield in the big third quarter, which it finished with a 67-73 advantage. Jantunen hit his fifth triple to help Finland stay close midway through the fourth, but Bahamas closed out the game with Hield scoring 24 points. Jantunen finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in defeat.

In the second game in Valencia, Spain crushed Lebanon 104-59, using a big second quarter to open a 51-31 lead and never stopped increasing the lead after the break. Jaime Pradilla of Valencia Basket had 14 points, Dario Brizuela of FC Barcelona scored 12, while Rudy Fernandez of Real Madrid had 9 points in 12 minute in an easy win.

<center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">La Finlande de <a href="https://twitter.com/mikaeljantunen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mikaeljantunen</a> s’est inclinée face aux Bahamas dans le premier match du Tournoi Qualificatif Olympique de Valence. Très gros match de notre parisien avec 20 points, 8 rebonds, 4 assists pour 24 d’évaluation 💪<br>Prochain match jeudi face à la Pologne. <a href="https://t.co/2PW9Nejyyo">pic.twitter.com/2PW9Nejyyo</a></p>&mdash; Paris Basketball (@ParisBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParisBasketball/status/1808204702779429142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> 

Mario Hezonja drives pat Luka Doncic for Croatia against Slovenia at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Piraeus. (photo FIBA) 

Real Madrid forward flirted with a triple-double at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament opener.

Luca Vildoza has crossed the Greek divide by joining Olympiacos BC, having played for and won a EuroLeague championship at Panathinaikos BC last season.

Luca Vildoza switches Panathinaikos for Olympiacos

Olympiacos Piraeus has wrapped up a deal to sign newly crowned Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion [Luca Vildoza](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/euroleague/players/luca-vildoza/007947/) on a two-year deal.

Vildoza (28 years old, 1.91 meters) averaged 5.7 points and 1.5 assists as reserve with Olympiacos's archrival, Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens, last season, with which he won his first EuroLeague championship.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="el" dir="ltr">💻✍🏽 Η ΚΑΕ Ολυμπιακός ανακοινώνει την απόκτηση του Λούκα Βιλντόζα. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreOlympiacos?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreOlympiacos</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TogetherWeFight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TogetherWeFight</a><a href="https://t.co/DpgjIQAlQ0">https://t.co/DpgjIQAlQ0</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@Olympiacos_BC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympiacos_BC/status/1808173084861780327?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He spent the 2022-23 campaign with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade, where he averaged 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals over 29 games in the EuroLeague. 

Vildoza was chosen as the EuroLeague MVP of the Month for December 2022 and ranked third in the league in steals.

A native of Argentina, Vildoza began his career in his homeland with Quilmes Mar del Plata before moving to Spain with Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, where he played from 2017 to 2021. 

Vildoza made his EuroLeague debut with Baskonia and helped it win the 2020 Spanish League championship. He was named MVP of the finals that year, too. Vildoza then played for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA in the 2021-22 season.

Best of Luca Vildoza: 2023-24

Vildoza’s trophy case also includes the Greek League crown and the Serbian League and Cup double from his time with Zvezda. He has won several medals with the Argentinian national team, too, including a gold medal at the 2014 South American Games and respective silver medals at the 2017 Americas Championship and the 2019 Basketball World Cup. 

Vildoza enters this season ranked 59th in EuroLeague history in assists with 495) and 62nd with 175 steals.

More Olympiacos News

New Olympiacos Piraeus signing Luca Vildoza in action for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens at the 2024 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four.

The Argentinian point guard became a EuroLeague champion with the Greens last season

Kostas Antetokounmpo had an important presence defensively as Panathinaikos BC went on to win the EuroLeague championship.

Tribute to the Champs: Kostas Antetokounmpo

[Kostas Antetokounmpo](https://www.euroleaguebasketball.net/en/euroleague/players/kostas-antetokounmpo/011221/) is a distinguished member of a well-known basketball family. His brother Giannis is a global superstar, having become a two-time NBA MVP and an NBA champion with the Milwaukee Bucks. Thanasis Antetekounmpo also won the NBA crown with Milwaukee and played for Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens in the past. There is a fourth Antetokounmpo brother, Alex, that also plays professional basketball.

Kostas started his career with local Athens squad Filathlitikos and went on to play high school and college basketball in the United States. He played for the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, which he helped win the NBA title in 2020, in addition to the Texas Legends, South Bay Lakers and Windy City Bulls in the G League. In Europe, Kostas suited up for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul before heading to Panathinaikos last summer. Greens head coach Ergin Ataman recruited him to become a defensive pillar, and Antetokounmpo definitely delivered.

Kostas Antetokounmpo led the 2023-24 Turiish Airlimes EuroLeague in blocks per 40 minutes (3.9) and helped Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens win the title!

Kostas Antetokounmpo's block party

Antetokounmpo led the 2023-24 EuroLeague in blocks per 40 minutes (3.9). His outstanding defense kept him in the rotation, as Antetokounmpo saw playing time in the entire playoffs and then the Final Four. He provided a top-class Final Four highlight, too, swatting Scottie Wilbekin's shot out of bounds in the semifinal against Fenerbahce. His brother Giannis was courtside throughout the Final Four, capturing every moment with his cell phone and celebrating with Kostas at the end of the game. As both Giannis and Kostas said, the job was done. Panathinaikos won the title, and Kostas Antetokounmpo can call himself a EuroLeague champion!

Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens big man Kostas Antetokounmpo poses with the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague trophy.

The Greek big man stepped up at various points in the campaign, particularly in the postseason