Giannis: “If I could live by playing for the National I would do it – I hope we will do it again in the following tournaments”

THE Giannis Antetokounbos opened his heart to reporters a few days before the start of the new season at NBA with their Milwaukee Bucksspeaking passionately about his experience with National Greece and its great success at Eurobasket 2025.

“Greek Freak” was not only in the bronze medal, the first for the “blue whites” after 16 years, but also in its deepest meaning supply and her availabilitystressing how important it is to be present for your home country, whether you win or lose.

At the same time, he talked about the weight and price of Greece’s representation, but also about the dilemma between career and national obligations.

In detail what he said:

Referring to his experience with Nationalthe Greek Freak stood in the importance of availability and the joy of success:

“All I have learned is availability. To be able to be available. When you are available, you can help your team do great things. That was my goal all summer. Whether you lose or win, you always have the ability to answer. We had an amazing summer. At Power Rankings we had 8 or 9th, sometimes out of the top ten, but we managed to be third in Europesomething we haven’t achieved for 16 years. “

Then Antetokounbos stressed:

‘I am very much cheerfulnot only for me but for all of Greece. This will give us confidencebecause a few years ago, in 2022, Germany was third in Europe and then took the world, at the Olympics it finished fourth and first this year at the Eurobasket. I am excited about the next tournaments of 2027, 2028 and 2029. “

The Buck leader spoke with emotion about the feeling of representation of the country:

“I don’t think people understand how you feel when you represent the country you. If everyone had the opportunity to do so, they would understand the euphoria I feel at the moment – a euphoria that is not over. When you walk the street and see how much happy It’s the people for what we have accomplished, then you appreciate it even more. They were millions of people who stopped what they did, they didn’t go to work to see the games. Is astonishing. I hope we do it again for them. “

As for the hypothetical dilemma between NBA and National, Antetokounbos was honest:

“If I had to choose between the NBA and the National, it would be a difficult selectionI won’t lie. I have to take care of my family. Representing national is the greatest honor and the best feeling, but at the end of the day no We are paid. People don’t understand it. They think we are getting millions, while spending 2-3 months in the summer away from our families. “

Finally, he added:

“I have played in nine tournaments and eight have not ended successfully. You ended up cry. In a way, people made you feel humiliated because you didn’t get a medal. If there was a way to be able to live by playing for the NationalI would probably say national. But realistically, there is no league in Europe compared to what the NBA offers. If it were the same, I would play for the national whole day. “