Milwaukee Bucks: Highlights From SI’s Giannis Antetokounmpo Feature

Minding His Money

A frequent question that has emerged from those on the outside looking in since Giannis signed his contract extension back in September has been: will the money change him?

Those who are familiar with Giannis’ personality would feel confident in answering that question in the negative, as coach Jason Kidd and general manager John Hammond have often done.

Through a number of amusing anecdotes, Jenkins shows that Giannis was always prudent with his money and remains so to this day.

One such example comes from Giannis’ rookie season when he used to go for dinner with former assistant video coordinator Ross Geiger.

"But when they ate dinner, even at McDonald’s, Antetokounmpo insisted on splitting the bill. Either he didn’t comprehend how much more he earned than a video guy, or he couldn’t bear to part with the cash."

For anyone who thinks that Giannis on a rookie scale deal was probably very different to the player who now has $100 million to rest on, there’s further evidence to suggest he’s just the same guy.

"When Giannis inked his four-year, $100 million extension in September—after postponing the signing by four hours to accommodate a morning workout—he called Bucks co-owner Wes Edens at his hotel in Ireland. “I just wanted to say thank you for the money,” Antetokounmpo started. “It means so much to me and my family. I’m going to work very hard for it.” Then he offered to buy friends and family steak at the Capital Grille in Milwaukee for lunch. When the meat arrived, with appetizers and side dishes, Giannis looked alarmed. “I don’t know who’s paying for all this,” he cracked, “because I only said I’d get the steak.”"

If the 22-year-old could be described as remaining as grounded as he was on the day he stepped into the NBA, there’s good reason for it. To describe Antetokounmpo’s journey as having come from nothing doesn’t do it justice. As such, if Giannis is more grateful or humble than players in a similar position to him, it’s unsurprising. If anything, what makes the Greek Freak great could be the fact he doesn’t take any of it for granted.

"“I think about where I was four years ago, on the streets, and where I am today, able to take care of my kids and my grandkids and their grandkids,” Antetokounmpo marvels. “I’m not saying that in a cocky way or a disrespectful way. But it is a crazy story, isn’t it?”"