Giannis Antetokounmpo has done just about everything there is to do in the NBA. He’s a two-time MVP, a Finals MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year, and the face of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 championship run. Yet when he stood on the podium at EuroBasket 2025 with a bronze medal around his neck, the tears running down his face told a different story.
For Giannis, this medal wasn’t just another piece of hardware. It was the culmination of years of carrying a nation’s hopes, and it meant more than his NBA accolades ever could.
“I am happy, I am healthy, my family is well. We came third in Europe. I’m doing fine. Of course I rejoiced a lot because many people rejoiced, and when I go out in the street, or when my family goes out, I feel the love.”
“You saw how I reacted at the end. You would say I did a three-peat with the Chicago Bulls. For many, my reaction was excessive. Not for people here from Greece, but for people in America. They couldn’t understand.”
“I wanted to achieve something with the National Team and it is something I was missing. What bothers me is that you cannot tell someone what is important for them and what isn’t. For me winning MVP may be important, but winning something with the National Team is more important. Sorry, but it is.”
“I told Papanikolaou, ‘Guys, I want the medal. I want it.’ I knew that for 16 years we had not gotten a medal. I entered training camp very focused and I gave the example to everyone that ‘guys, I’m not here to waste my summer, or to play games. We are here to become better, to be concentrated and to concentrate on ourselves.”
“I’m glad that I made the success with my brothers, which is even more special. And I’m very happy for my mother, who was able to see that.”
From the outside, especially in America, Giannis’ raw emotional reaction puzzled some fans. To them, a bronze medal wasn’t worth celebrating with such intensity. But Giannis made it clear: outsiders cannot dictate what holds meaning for him.
For 16 years, Greece had gone without a EuroBasket medal. Generations of fans, coaches, and players had come up short, despite boasting talent that flirted with glory. Every time Giannis suited up for the national team, he felt that burden. This summer, he was determined to break the drought.
His focus paid off. Greece powered its way through the tournament, ultimately landing on the podium with a hard-fought bronze. The victory wasn’t just for Giannis, it was for his brothers, his teammates, and his mother, who got to witness the moment firsthand.
Even in the midst of celebration, Giannis’ eyes were already on the future. He knows bronze is just a stepping stone.
“We have more to go than to bronze. Certainly, it is very difficult. Teams are improving a lot. Serbia, France … and in 2027 you’ll have Canada, USA, South Sudan, Australia.”
For Giannis, EuroBasket 2025 wasn’t just about a medal. It was about validation, about proving that Greece could matter again on the world stage. He’s won it all in the NBA, but this, lifting his country alongside him, is the legacy he cherishes most.
