Some former international NBA players have opted to remain in the United States after they retired, but that won’t be the case for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, as he said that he intends to return to his native Greece and also end his professional career there.
Antetokounmpo, 30, was born to Nigerian parents in Athens, Greece, and he is the third of their five sons. He started his professional basketball career with the Greek side Filathlitikos before the Bucks selected him with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft.
Antetokounmpo has since had a stellar NBA career, as he won the 2021 championship with the Bucks. He also has several personal accolades to his name, including being a two-time MVP and nine-time NBA All-Star.
Despite making a name for himself in the league, Antetokounmpo stated that he does not intend to stay in the United States, as he wants to hang up his jersey in his native Greece.
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“I’m 30 years old, I can play in the NBA until I’m 36-38. I’d like to end my career in a Greek team, why not?” Antetokounmpo, who is preparing for his 13th NBA season, said on ANT1’s The 2night Show, per BasketNews.
“I don’t want to live in the United States. As soon as I leave the NBA, I want to return to Greece. I could end my career here, whether this team is called Filathlitikos, Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, or Aris, I’m talking about all the teams now.”
Though born in Greece, Antetokounmpo is still familiar with his Nigerian heritage and roots. His parents, Charles and Veronica Adetokunbo, immigrated to Greece from the West African nation in 1991. His father unfortunately passed away in 2017.
In an interview with The Undefeated in 2019, Antetokounmpo – whose other names include Sina and Ugo – spoke about his upbringing in a Nigerian household in Greece and how it has shaped his life.
“I grew up in a Nigerian home,” he said. “Obviously, I was born in Greece and went to school in Greece. But at the end of the day when I go home, there is no Greek culture. It’s straight-up Nigerian culture. It’s about discipline, it’s about respecting your elders, having morals.”
