Giannis Antetokounmpo is embarking on a new journey in South Beach following his blockbuster trade to the Miami Heat. The two-time MVP will bring his elite two-way brilliance and championship credentials to a franchise eager to end its Larry O’Brien Trophy drought, which stretches back to 2013.
The 31-year-old has swapped his iconic jersey No. 34 for No. 7, citing it as a way of paying his “respect to the organization that drafted him.” While the transition could be overwhelming, the NBA champion shared a glimpse into his initial meeting with the Miami Heat President.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Hails Heat President Pat Riley as a True Legend
During a recent exclusive sit-down with CBS News Miami sports director Mike Cugno, Giannis Antetokounmpo opened up about his first meeting with Hall of Famer Pat Riley.
When Cugno asked whether the star forward addresses Riley as his boss, the Greek Freak explained why he insists on using the Heat president’s formal title of respect.
“I call him Mr. Pat. He told me, ‘Just call me Pat’. Nah. There’s so much history. He’s a legend,” Antetokounmpo told Cugno.
Giannis explains why he calls Pat Riley ‘Mr. Pat’
“I call him Mr. Pat. He told me ‘just call me Pat’ nah, he’s a legend. You got to show people like that respect. I went to his office. It’s a different feeling. Kind of intimidating… He’s a good guy to have in your corner and… pic.twitter.com/AYrpJLXtST
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 21, 2026
“You’ve got to show people like that respect. I went to his office. It’s a different feeling. Kind of intimidating… He’s a good guy to have in your corner, and I’m excited to play for him. I’m excited that I’m here. I’m going to do whatever I can to help this team be great.”
Stepping into the office of one of the NBA’s most decorated personalities, who boasts nine championships (five as a coach, two as an executive, one as an assistant coach, and one as a player), is surely an unforgettable experience.
But Riley’s stellar résumé doesn’t end there: he has earned three Coach of the Year honors and 1,210 regular-season wins, placing him fifth on the NBA’s all-time list. A truly legendary career.
Meanwhile, last season, Antetokounmpo averaged 27.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.7 blocks over 36 games, while shooting 62.4% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. He also earned his tenth consecutive All-Star selection, highlighting his global popularity and appeal.
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Despite bouts with injury, Antetokounmpo proved to be a defensive asset on the hardwood, posting a defensive rating of 115.4 and controlling the glass with 7.06 defensive rebounds per game.
In 13 seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, he played 895 career regular-season games, averaging 24.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game on 55.4% shooting from the field.
Joining a championship-hungry roster comes with its own obstacles, but the Greek Freak seems ready to take on any challenge and understands the immense legacy that guides the franchise.
Bringing a dominant powerhouse like Antetokounmpo together with Riley’s legendary championship standard creates a promising foundation for the Heat’s next era.
