Giannis Antetokounmpo says his move to the Miami Heat was motivated by a desire to embrace a new challenge after spending 13 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Speaking on AnesTea the Podcast, the 31-year-old reflected on leaving the franchise where he won an NBA championship and established himself as one of the league’s biggest stars.
“Milwaukee is my family, my hometown. But I wanted a new challenge,” Antetokounmpo said. “Just like I arrived in Milwaukee at 18 and worked hard, I will do the same in Miami.”
The two-time MVP also discussed his commitment to representing Greece, explaining why he did not play in the national team’s recent FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifying losses to Romania and Portugal.
“Because not many people know this, to join the national team, you have to pay insurance to play,” he explained. “For NBA players who hold massive contracts, if I go and get injured while competing in FIBA, the insurance covers the contract I have.”
Antetokounmpo said he was not selected for those games but expects to return if called upon for the next qualifying window.
“I wasn’t called up,” he added. “We thought that playing against Romania and Portugal would be easy. Yes, we made a mistake. We underestimated them. We dropped both matches, and now we have two crucial games ahead. If I am selected, then I will probably be there.”
Looking back on Greece’s bronze-medal finish at EuroBasket 2025, Antetokounmpo described it as one of the most meaningful achievements of his career.
“It was the only moment I felt complete in my entire career,” he stated.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is looking forward to representing Greece in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers this August 🗣️
“If I am selected, then I will probably be there.”https://t.co/LlBvlG3taO
— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) July 21, 2026
