Giannis Antetokounmpo Would Trade MVP Title for World Cup Gold

Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photo by Jevone Moore/Cal Sport Media/CSM/REX/Shutterstock

While U.S. basketball players were never too passionate about World Cups and international competitions, their counterparts from other countries tend to take a different approach. The latest example for this is Milwaukee Bucks’ All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Although almost all big stars refused to play for Team USA on this year’s FIBAWorld Cup in China, Antetokounmpo gladly accepted the chance to play with Greece on this competition.

“I always feel something special when playing for the national team,” – Antetokounmpo told FIBA’s official site. “When you are starting the tournament and listening to the national anthem, the emotions can’t be described. After the first basket, the first plays, it is an amazing experience and every time I feel as proud as the first time. The feeling of winning with the national team is incredible, and I have said before that I will always be part of the team, as long as I am healthy like this summer.”

And not only that, but the 24-year-old forward would be even willing to trade his 2019 NBA MVP award if that meant winning the gold medal on the tournament with Greece.

“I would exchange the MVP title for the gold medal in China,” – he added.

With Giannis Antetokounmpo on their roster, Greece has established itself as one of the favorites for winning a medal on the tournament. This is especially a likely scenario given the fact that the United States is coming to the World Cup with one of their weakest rosters in decades.

Ben loves sports so much but prefers watching other people do it. He prefers not to share what teams he's supporting but he is willing to admit that Lebron James is, in fact, the king.