Giannis Antetokounmpo Almost Left the NBA Due to a “USA” Sized Reason

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been a revelation. The 7 ft center has made a name for himself. He has already won two MVPs back to back (2019 and 2020). Giannis then won the NBA championship in 2021 and also won the finals MVP for the same year. This year he has been chasing the MVP and a championship too. Quite an impressive resume for 9 years in the NBA.

He made his debut on October 30th, 2013. The Milwaukee Bucks drafted him as their 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. Little did they know he would create history and break records. He also surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most points as a Milwaukee Bucks player. His record speaks for itself and this season too he has been sensational.

In terms of numbers, this has been his best season yet. He has averaged 29.9 points in regular season while amassing 11.6 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. But all this could have been just a dream as Giannis could have left the NBA after just his rookie season and we would not have seen the rise of his talent.

Also read: Giannis’ dad joke in press conference.

Giannis Antetokounmpo was close to leaving the NBA?

Giannis in his first season did not show as much promise as he did when he scored 50 points in his first teenage basketball game. While the Bucks drafted Giannis and he had started playing basketball in 2013, his family was still in Greece. Giannis and his family lived in a rather poor neighborhood and there was a possibility that he would have had to go back there.

The Visas of Giannis? family had been rejected two times. By the American law, if your visa is rejected three times, you can not apply again. So one is permanently forbidden to come to the USA. Giannis took the help of his agent and told him that his family had been denied for the third time and he said that he would leave the NBA because he did not want to live without them. Giannis was alone and scared in a new country and wanted his family more than the money and fame that is privileged for an NBA player. Thankfully, on the third attempt, their Visa got approved and Giannis stayed in the league.

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Now Giannis is chasing the 3rd MVP of his career with everything to play for. He and the Bucks lead the Chicago Bulls 3-1 after game 4 in the first round of the playoffs. With only one required for the Bucks to qualify, Giannis Antetokounmpo would hope to continue his dominant form to go all the way and possibly win the NBA championship.