Giannis Antetokounmpo Explains How Kevin Love Helped Him Open Up About Mental Health Issues

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo says he contemplated retirement in 2020

It’s no secret that athletes receive a lot of criticism and attention, making it difficult for them to navigate life normally. Some struggle with their mental health dealing with all the pressure and constant public observation. In an interview with the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo recently stated he had thoughts of retiring from the NBA in 2020 due to this.

“In 2020, I was ready to walk away from the game,” Antetokounmpo said. “I had that conversation with the front office. No matter where I am, everybody is watching me. I don’t have the time to turn it off.”

Thankfully, Antetokounmpo had a shoulder to lean on. He had conversations with Miami Heat forward Kevin Love, a vocal advocate for mental health awareness in athletes.

“I talked to Kevin Love and told him how he inspired me to open up and helped me to better myself,” Antetokounmpo said. “He was literally tearing up when I was telling him that. He never imagined he would be the one to kind of help me figure out a way to cope with all this.”

Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP and champion, attributed his desire to continue playing from the support he received from others.

“I started speaking with someone,” Antetokounmpo said. “Somebody helped put me in a place again to appreciate the things I have. That comes with being who I am and to be okay with myself.”

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Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.