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Giannis Antetokounmpo says he trusted Thanasis’ advice regarding signing contract extension

Giannis and Thanasis' bond is as thick as blood.

Jonas Panerio

© John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
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Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo is a devout family man. While some NBA stars may surround themselves with childhood friends or a management team, the “Greek Freak” often relies on his family when making significant decisions, be it in life or his professional career. 

Giannis recently signed a three-year contract extension to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks and he explained that his brother Thanasis was instrumental in helping him make the decision.

“Obviously, I trust Thanasis to death,” Giannis said. “Me and Thanasis, we haven’t separated ourselves since I was born. We were always there. He always looks out for me and has my back in so many ways. I have his back in so many ways. It’s a judgment that I trust blindly.”

Decision that made sense

Giannis had earlier relayed that signing an extension this year didn’t make sense. However, he eventually changed his mind and signed his name on the dotted line for an extension reportedly worth $186 million. Antetokounmpo said it wouldn’t have happened had it not been for Thanasis’ encouragement.

“Again, as I said, I trust Thanasis’ judgment to death,” Antetokounmpo added. 

“He came to me and told me that this would make sense. He knows me as a brother, a lot of people know me just as a basketball player. It’s going to take a lot of things off your plate. You’re going to take care of your family, be able to build generational wealth for your grandkids, kids. Make you just focus on things that make you happy. What makes you happy? We both know, it’s basketball.”

No more contract talks

With his place in Milwaukee firmly solidified for the next few years, Giannis says getting his contract situation resolved paves the way for him to just focus on basketball whenever he steps on the floor. 

No more nagging questions about where he’ll play in the future, no more wondering about what team he’ll play for in the next few seasons. He knows that with all of the outside noise off his plate, he can simply focus on his craft and getting better.

“I like to be good in what I do. I like to be successful. I like to be able to play at a high level. That’s what brings joy to my life — and obviously spending time with my family and being with my kids brings me a lot of joy too. But being good in what I do, I want to spend a lot of time on the court — blood, sweat, tears and all that — like I want to be good at it too. Right now, my main focus is just that. It’s not contract talks. It’s not team talks. It’s just basketball. That’s how I want it to be. That’s the advice my family gave me also. So, yeah, I took it.”

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Jonas Panerio
JONAS PANERIO