Giannis Antetokounmpo and Alperen Sengun ease tensions: the end of a EuroBasket controversy

EuroBasket 2025 left its mark, not just on the court. After Turkey’s victory against Greece, Alperen Sengun had unintentionally provoked Giannis Antetokounmpo by stating to the press in the mixed zone that he was « an amazing player but not a great passer. » When asked about this statement after winning the third-place game, the two-time NBA MVP didn’t want to fuel the controversy but let his frustration show.

Alperen Sengun names Giannis Antetokounmpo’s weakness: « He’s an amazing player, you know, but he’s not a great passer. » 🗣️ #EuroBasket

Read more: https://t.co/Rbx1N5HRi1 pic.twitter.com/S6q1pKvrcm

— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) September 12, 2025

When rivalry went beyond sports

Tension quickly escalated. Supported by his coach Vassilis Spanoulis, Giannis responded in the press conference, inviting his critics to watch his passing highlights on YouTube. A few days later, during the tournament’s all-star team announcement, the two players – though both selected – didn’t shake hands.

The moment when Giannis and Sengun didn’t shake hands during the ceremony

🎥trtspor #ingr #insports #sengun #antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/1w7KB8envw

— in.gr/news (@in_gr) September 15, 2025

The conflict escalated when fans from Turkey and Greece, two historically opposed nations, ignited social media. Between provocative messages, insults, and threats – some even targeting Mariah, Giannis’s wife – the rivalry had taken a concerning turn, far from the spirit of the game.

Giannis takes initiative to calm things down

That’s when Giannis Antetokounmpo decided to act. According to BasketNews, the two-time NBA MVP sought out Sengun’s number before calling him directly. Several exchanges and messages followed, allowing both players to have an honest conversation.

This contact led to a joint initiative: a shared Instagram post where they stated that « basketball should unite, not divide. » Each then separately apologized, acknowledging that the controversy had gotten out of hand.

Rivalry brought back to the court

The story could have poisoned the NBA season and future Greece-Turkey matchups. Instead, Giannis and Sengun chose to set an example. The sporting rivalry remains intact, but will now be confined to the court.

In a world where divisions too easily escalate, the attitude of both stars reminds us that a simple gesture – a call, a few sincere words – can be enough to ease tensions.