Trying to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo has become one of basketball’s unsolvable riddles. NBA teams have thrown double-teams, zone schemes, and rim protectors at him, yet the “Greek Freak” continues to bulldoze defenses and rack up MVP trophies.
Now, as EuroBasket 2025 begins in Poland, Italy’s head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco admitted with a smile that there’s really only one way to slow him down, and it’s not exactly legal.
“Friend of mine is a sniper. We will put him at the top of the gym”
“Probably, we will do this in the first quarter. So, he will not play second quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter. Friend of mine is like really good sniper. This is the only option that I already got with staff. There is no other option.”
“To stop him is not possible. He’s unstoppable in the NBA. Can you imagine that we can stop him? No, so.”
The room erupted in laughter, but the joke underscored a serious truth: Giannis is close to unguardable. Even Pozzecco followed up with a more sober assessment. “He’s unstoppable in the NBA. Can you imagine that we can stop him here? No, so…”
Giannis has been every bit as dominant internationally as he has in the NBA. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he averaged 27.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, proving that his power translates under FIBA rules. The shorter three-point line, wider lane, and allowance of zone defense don’t blunt his impact; they simply present new challenges for his opponents.
That’s the nightmare scenario Italy faces in its EuroBasket opener against Greece. In FIBA play, defenders can camp in the paint without worrying about defensive three-second violations. That means Italy can try to shrink the floor, pack the lane, and dare Greece’s shooters to win from outside.
But as history shows, even when defenses load up, Giannis still finds ways to dominate, whether it’s drawing fouls, creating for teammates, or finishing through contact.
Pozzecco’s humor also masks Italy’s own strengths. Ranked ninth in Europe and 15th globally, Italy isn’t a pushover. Miami Heat forward Simone Fontecchio will shoulder much of the offensive load, while veterans like Danilo Gallinari and Nicolo Melli add shooting and experience. Italy has balance and grit, but stopping a generational force like Giannis remains a tall task.
The stakes are high in Group C, where Greece and Italy are expected to battle for position behind traditional powers like Spain. Yet Spain enters EuroBasket in transition, with only Santi Aldama representing the NBA on its roster. That opens the door for both Italy and Greece to make deep runs.
For Giannis, EuroBasket is another chance to lead Greece to glory, something he has long craved. Despite his NBA accolades, international triumph has eluded him, and EuroBasket 2025 could be his best opportunity. For Italy, the challenge is simple: contain the most dominant player in the tournament.
Still, his joke captured the sentiment shared by coaches everywhere: the only surefire way to stop Giannis Antetokounmpo is if he doesn’t play at all.
