MUNICH (Germany) - Giannis Antetokounmpo is a nightmare for any opposing team as a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player and 2021 NBA champion. The big man has become the face of the Greece national team, and also has many FIBA EuroBasket 2025 stars praising his game.
FIBA asked a series of stars who will be leading their national teams in a week about Antetokounmpo, and the responses about the "Greek Freak" ranged from playing at a different level for Greece to an inspiring work ethic and sacrifice for his body to being a great leader and warrior.
He's different when playing for Greece
Santi Aldama experienced Antetokounmpo in both the NBA and the national team - including facing off last summer in the 2024 Olympics. And the Spanish star said Giannis is different when he has Hellas on his chest.
"He always talks about how he plays hard every single day. And seeing an MVP-level player play as hard as he does every day ... and him having the pride to play for his country every summer you can see it's different when he plays for his country. And he takes a lot of pride in playing for his country," Aldama said.
He sacrifices his body for the team
Antetokounmpo's efforts also impress Italian veteran Nicolo Melli, who appreciates how much the NBA star sacrifices his body.
"To bring this kind of energy every game means you are ready to sacrifice your body for the team."
"Giannis is for sure an incredible player. First of all for the physical impact that he has on the game. He's very consistent about it. And even though he is one of the best players in the world, he is very humble for how he plays. He always brings it. He plays with technique for sure but to bring this kind of energy every game means you are ready to sacrifice your body for the team," Melli said.
The Italian also had a fond memory of Giannis at the last EuroBasket - namely how Italy coach Gianmarco Pozzecco ran up to Antetokounmpo in the catacombs of the arena in Berlin and jumped on him following Italy's Round of 16 win over Serbia.
"We beat Serbia and Pozzecco jumps on him. You don't want to think about if he injured Giannis. That would have been a problem in the millions. But that is one of the main images I have about Giannis," Melli recalled.
Still shows inspiring work ethic
Antetokounmpo's Greek teammate, 35-year-old Kostas Sloukas values just how strong the star's work ethic is.
"He has already achieved many things in his career, but still he is the first guy who comes to the locker room and he's the last guy to leave the court," Sloukas said.
France's 20-year-old rising star Zaccharie Risacher said Antetokounmpo's work ethic inspires him.
"The way he approaches the game ... watching him close up, I kind of have taken that from him. I'm a hard worker and I was raised that way. But being able to see the greats and his approach definitely helps me to be able to keep it. His approach is special. He was inspiring growing up," said Risacher.
He tries to destroy everybody
While his work ethic may be inspirational, facing Giannis on the court is like a speeding train not going to stop for anybody, according to Spain's Willy Hernangomez.
"He tries to destroy everybody in front of him."
"He tries to destroy everybody in front of him. He plays super hard. He's an example for other players - the way he plays. His work ethic is really impressive. One of the best," said Hernangomez, the MVP of the EuroBasket 2022.
Always has tricks in his bag
For Lauri Markkanen, Antetokounmpo is much more than just a physical specimen. The Finland star knows Giannis will always figure out a way to beat you.
"Giannis is really difficult to play one-on-one. You kind of load up on him and try to make him get rid of the ball. But he can do so many things on the floor. You can do your scouting report and try to take something away but I feel like he has some tricks in his bag that makes it really hard to guard," Markkanen said.
A great leader
Tyler Dorsey has gotten the chance to see Antetokounmpo up close and personal on his own team. And the Greek guard says the NBA superstar is really a great leader - also because of the work he puts in - and someone who makes things easier for his teammates.
"I saw it three years ago (at EuroBasket 2022). The work the best players in the world do. Every single detail you can think about to make him better, he's doing it. The professionalism that he brings. Everybody is watching him, even our team. And he knows that. He's a great leader," Dorsey said.
"It makes our life easier playing wth him on the floor."
"Game wise, I love playing with him. He draws the whole team. Five guys are watching him the whole game. We're pretty much open. It makes our life easier playing with him on the floor."
A warrior and fighter who never backs down
Put all those elements together, and you can still add the element of a warrior, according to Polish star Mateusz Ponitka, who added: "Giannis is a warrior, he's a fighter, he never backs down. He has a lot of things that you don't see often."
Every second you need to watch him
Furkan Korkmaz meanwhile says opposing teams must keep track of Antetokounmpo at all times. And the scary part, the Türkiye star says, is that Giannis can still improve.
"Whenever he is on the court, every second, you need to watch him. What he is doing. Because every second he can do something different. He plays fast and high rhythm basketball and he can run the court so well. And he's still improving his game," Korkmaz said.
"He still has great potential. He can still be much better than he is right now."
"He still has a long way to go even though he has proven himself. He still has great potential. He can still be much better than he is right now."
No mistakes allowed
Bogdan Bogdanovic's message about Giannis was simple: don't make mistakes.
"I feel like when you play him, he's just so athletic and you can't make mistakes against him because he punishes you all the time," the Serbian star said.
"His ability to play defense as well. It's not easy to go around him, there are no easy shots with him. And when he is running in transition. These three things are pretty much unstoppable."
"He's just a freak"
Finland star shooter Sasu Salin went with Antetokounmpo's nickname when describing what makes him special.
"Like they call him: He’s the 'Greek Freak'. Athletic, he can go to the rim and dunk from the free throw line easily. He's just a freak."
Two-time NBA MVP - enough said
When it comes down to it, all you need to know is one thing according to Italian Simone Fontecchio.
"Not like I have to say much. Everybody knows what kind of player he is. He's a two-time MVP in the NBA, which is the toughest league in the world. That speaks for itself."
FIBA