Giannis Antetokounmpo opens up: 'Millions of people ask for things now' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Petros Giannakouris/AP - Scanpix Credit Petros Giannakouris/AP - Scanpix

Coming from humble beginnings, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a global basketball superstar now. The Milwaukee Bucks forward is a two-time NBA MVP and the player the franchise is built around.

Giannis Antetokounmpo

MIN:33.57PTS:30.15 (60.64%)REB:12As:5.94ST:1.01BL:1.35TO:3.46GM:79ProfileNBA2021/2022

Tremendous amounts of attention from all places come when you become famous worldwide, and Giannis has dealt with it continuously for the past several years.

He sat down for an interview with Giorgos Tsiros from costanovarino.com to talk about his life principles, the story of his road to the NBA, and the upcoming real estate plans in Greece.

"Many people who want something from you will show up but you must remain true to yourself. They often say that fame and money change people, but this isn't necessarily true," Giannis explained. "The difference is that a few years back when nobody knew you, you were calm, and now millions of people expect something, asking for things."

"If you say “No,” because you cannot always say “Yes,” they take it badly," the Greek Freak continued. "What I've come to understand is that you must continue being the same person. If you begin to change, that's when you can lose it."

Giannis hopes to remain true to his principles throughout the entirety of his career. Although he's one of the highest-paid players in the NBA, his financial situation is not the most important to him.

"You do not need money, or anything else, to be okay," the Bucks superstar explained. "This is very important to me. Forget basketball, I don't care about basketball. As long as you're having fun, you play; when you stop having fun, you leave. It's that simple. Αs a human being, in order to be the best version of yourself, you have to be humble."

"Life is difficult. We try to make it easy. We shouldn’t make our lives complicated. You need to understand who you are and find a way to be okay with it," Giannis continued. "It can be difficult to accept this for many because they think they can be more, or they always want something more. Ultimately, they're not happy."

Points this season

46%113,9Points made:113,9Accuracy:46,4%Place in standings:4Record max:142Record min:81Best scorer:Giannis AntetokounmpoTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Giannis, now 27, is a son of Nigerian immigrants. When they arrived in Athens, the family had a hard time making ends meet. All Antetokounmpo brothers helped their parents by hawking watches, handbags, and sunglasses in the streets.

"My family and I, when we had nothing, we learned to survive on the streets. Then we adapted when we went to the NBA, and now we are adapting to where we are right now," the Greek Freak told. "We adjust, yet our principles remain the same. Sure, there are some all-time high moments, as well as some low moments."

"When I was young and we went from city to city selling things, that for me was an all-time high because I was with my brothers, in a car, playing, laughing, having fun. We didn’t feel it at the time, but now that one of my brothers is in France, the other in Athens, I get it," Giannis shared his memories. "This has affected everything – regarding who I am, how I raise my kids, how I want to be as a player, as a businessman, everything."

Even though he's a global phenomenon, Giannis always keep a close bond with his brothers. The Greek Freak has been a constant spectator in the French LNB playoffs where together with Thanasis and Alex he cheers for his brother Kostas who plays for LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne.

"We may not have had any money, but we were together. And we're together now: Kostas, Thanasis, Alex, Francis, my mother, our children. Everyone together – I like that," Giannis opened up. "I've never been alone in my life. I've always had my brothers, my family, and I want that to continue."

"We all have this motto: “I am my father's legacy.” I will say it again: my father did not have anything. He started, not from zero, but from minus zero. And we, who have achieved what we have achieved, cannot be idiots [and waste that achievement]," Antetokounmpo explained his vision.

Together with his brother Thanasis, Giannis now plans to become an owner of two Costa Navarino Residences in the southern region of Greece.

"I actually don't own a house in Athens. Instead, I'll have a home here," the Bucks forward talked about his decision. "I like being here – I have a good time, and my family is happy here. I like seeing the people closest to me happy: my mother walking on the beach, taking pictures..."

"I don't know how to swim, but I am a sea person. I like going in, but only when I can touch the bottom," Giannis joked.

Antetokounmpo is expected to help the Greek National Team in the upcoming EuroBasket 2022. The tournament starts on September 1st. Greece will face Estonia, Ukraine, Great Britain, Italy, and Croatia in Group C.

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