Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has just clinched a sweet victory even before the 2025-26 NBA season begins. Playing for Greece in the 2025 EuroBasket, Antetokounmpo steered the Greeks to beat Finland 92-89 to bag the bronze medal.
And while the victory wasn’t for a gold medal or an NBA MVP honor, Antetokounmpo said it was extra special.
Giannis Antetokounmpo on Why Winning EuroBasket Bronze is Better Than an NBA MVP Honor
With a championship and two MVP awards, Antetokounmpo has won it all as an NBA player. And while his last season ended in disappointment, there’s no taking away his love for the game and his fan base.
However, following his EuroBasket win against Finland, Antetokounmpo couldn’t help but share his views on his country’s win.
“When you win the MVP, my mom is happy, my brother is happy, my agent might be happy,” Antetokounmpo said. “It is what it is. But when you win the medal, 12-13 million people are happy. I’ve never given that feeling before.”
He admitted that the most he must have done before was encourage Greek people to switch on their TVs and watch basketball again.
“When you win the MVP, my mom is happy, my brother is happy, my agent might be happy. It is what it is. But when you win the medal, 12–13 million people are happy. I’ve never given that feeling before.”
— Giannis after winning bronze with Greece pic.twitter.com/PPUt62wj8h
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) September 14, 2025
“Before, I think, the most feeling I’ve gave is that I’ve allowed a lot of Greek people to open the TV and watch basketball again and cheer for something, look forward to something,” he said. “But now we’re able to give a lot of people happiness. Like I was walking through there, and people were crying. I was crying.”
He acknowledged people waiting for him back home, stating that they’re simply excited and happy for them.
Antetokounmpo said he wanted to inspire 12 million people back in Greece, hoping that one kid would eventually believe they could be on the EuroBasket stage and win a gold medal for their homeland.
Joking about the future, the Greek Freak added that he could join as an assistant coach or watch from the sidelines if he’s bored.
Furthermore, his brothers Thanasis and Kostas Antetokounmpo also played alongside him.
Antetokounmpo Receives Special EuroBasket Honor
Along with his bronze win, Antetokounmpo was also named to the EuroBasket All-Star Five list.
Germany’s Dennis Schröder, Franz Wagner, Turkey’s Alperen Şengün, and Slovenia’s Luka Dončić were the other players on the list. Antetokounmpo averaged 27.3 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game during the tournament.
The 2025 EuroBasket All-Star Five 🤩
🇩🇪 Dennis Schroder (MVP)
🇩🇪 Franz Wagner
🇬🇷 Giannis Antetokounmpo
🇹🇷 Alperen Sengun
🇸🇮 Luka Doncic (not in the building) pic.twitter.com/gz1s5JirC0— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 14, 2025
Antetokounmpo will return to the U.S. for NBA training camps soon, hoping to steer the Bucks to a deeper playoff run after a disappointing first-round exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers last season.
