Greek basketball legend Vassilis Spanoulis addressed the ongoing debate about Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikos Galis, clarifying that the two icons should not be compared directly.
Speaking after Greece’s win over Georgia at EuroBasket 2025, Spanoulis was asked whether Antetokounmpo and Galis hold the same cultural weight in Greece. He responded that while Giannis is unique, Galis and his generation laid the foundation for Greek basketball.
“I cannot compare, everybody in Greece started playing basketball because of Galis and all this great generation,” Spanoulis said, via Eurohoops. “Galis, Giannakis, Fasoulas, Fanis Christodoulou, and all the other guys. And now there’s a different generation.”
Spanoulis highlighted how the sport evolved across eras. After Galis and the 1987 EuroBasket champions, his own generation delivered success with a gold medal in 2005, a silver at the 2006 FIBA World Cup, and a bronze in 2009.
“Every generation is different,” Spanoulis added. “I am blessed that we have Giannis here because he always has the right mindset, he is very humble, he plays for his country, he loves his teammates, he is here, and he is trying with all the other guys to win.”
Antetokounmpo’s rise has indeed elevated Greece’s international profile. The Milwaukee Bucks star is a two-time MVP, an NBA champion, and widely regarded as one of the most dominant players in today’s game.
At EuroBasket 2025, Giannis has been at the center of Greece’s 3–0 start in Group C, where the team has already secured a spot in the knockout stage. His performances continue to underline his commitment to the national team despite carrying the demands of an NBA career.
