Giannis Antetokounmpo has been waiting for years to go to the Olympics. Even with problems, it’s been “incredible.”

It’s been a long time coming for Giannis Antetokounmpo to be at the Olympics.

The Olympic stage has been a long time coming for Giannis Antetokounmpo.

So, when the final buzzer sounded in Greece’s 77–71 win over Australia on Friday, the first-time Olympian slouched, put a towel over his face, and covered his head. He wanted his country to make it to the next round.

He was worn out. He’s not ready for this to be over yet. Not yet.

“I want to have as much fun as possible.” “Right now we don’t even know if we’ll be in Paris,” he said. “We longed to be here for a long time, but we weren’t lucky enough.” It’s important to me to enjoy every day with my friends. I remember texting my wife after the first game and saying, “I can’t stop smiling.” It’s just that the mood and vibe are different ”

With help from Antetokounmpo, Greece won a qualifying event earlier this month and made it to the Paris Games.

It put Greece back in the Olympic basketball tournament for the first time since 2008, when it made it to the 12-team field in Beijing. It was only their fifth time ever being in the tournament. One thing that the two-time NBA MVP hadn’t done yet was play in the Olympics.

They gave him another honor he didn’t expect: they made him carry the flag at the opening ceremony.

Antetokounmpo, who led the Milwaukee Bucks to the NBA title in 2021, didn’t want to take the job. He asked for Greece leader Kostas Papanikolaou to get the honor instead at first, but Antetokounmpo is glad he did it in the end.

The cruise down the Seine made him value his job as a soldier even more.

“Just the energy from the moment we went to the ceremony with all of our Greek teammates and athletes, saw people come out in Paris to cheer for us, and then went back to compete in the games and saw how the crowds get into it and how people really compete,” he said. “It really makes the show better. “That is amazing.”

He also thought about his late father, Charles Antetokounmpo, who died of a heart ttack in 2017—before Giannis won the first of his two NBA MVP awards in 2019.

“That was the most important work I’ve ever done,” Giannis said. “I’m sure my dad is dancing in heaven as he watches this.” It’s possible that I will never carry the flag again, even if I win another title. I will never forget how much fun it was.

Antetokounmpo said that he came to Pierre Mauroy Stadium on Friday still excited for another chance to enjoy a moment on the court, even though Greece had already lost to Canada 86–79 to start the tournament and then to Spain 84–77.

“I’m glad I’m here.” I don’t guess about it. He said, “I would enjoy it to the fullest.” “You have no idea when this chance will come up.” I got here after 16 years. So, how old will I be in 16 years? It will be 45 years old for me.

A photographer asked, “Maybe gold?”

Antetokounmpo, who is 29 years old, said, “No, no, no.” “I’m not sure.” I only want to have fun. It makes me happy to see my kids out there and be able to watch me try my best on this stage. I can also tell them stories about what happened.