The summer clash between Greece and Turkey at EuroBasket wasn’t just a basketball story – it became personal.Alperen Sengun’s blunt take on Giannis Antetokounmpo’spassing ability lit the fuse, and the Bucks superstar didn’t hold back, reminding critics he’s already an NBA champion. The tension didn’t stop there, spilling into press conferences, Instagram stories, and unfortunately, Giannis’ own family.
When Mariah Antetokounmpo, Giannis’ wife, revealed she’d received chilling threats online, it shifted the feud into darker territory. She even shared one disturbing message: “We will k- your entire family. You will be afraid everywhere you go.” Instead of brushing it aside, Mariah called out the account publicly and congratulated Turkey’s team, making it clear that abuse had crossed the line.
Meanwhile, Giannis’ struggles against Turkey in the EuroBasket semifinal gave critics more ammo. Sengun had openly described Giannis as “not a great passer,” and Turkey’s defense thrived on that scouting report, holding him to just 12 points in a lopsided win. Their rivalry spilled into the medal ceremony too – no handshake, no eye contact.
Rivals Turned Teammates in Spirit
That’s why the photo of Giannis and Sengun hugging during an NBA game felt like more than a friendly gesture. Both stars shared it on Instagram with a joint message: “We play with respect. We always remember sports are made to unite us, not divide us x .” The comments section? Disabled, to keep the hate away.
Giannis followed up with an apology for his own heated words on Instagram Live: “My intention was never to offend anyone. I have nothing but love and respect for Turkey.” Sengun also stepped up, clarifying his controversial remarks were “a communication mistake.”
What could have become an endless cycle of anger instead became a lesson in maturity. Greece walked away with its first EuroBasket medal since 2009. Turkey earned silver for the first time in over two decades. And the two stars who once embodied that rivalry now stand as symbols of respect.
In the end, Giannis and Sengun reminded fans that basketball can fuel passion, but it should never fuel hate.
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