The Surprising Revelations of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Mental Health; Prompted His Retirement in 2020
Giannis Antetokounmpo has opened up about his struggles with anxiety in the past. In a 2019 interview with ESPN, he revealed that he often experiences anxiety before games and has been working with a therapist to address his mental health.
This image is grabbed from video
Giannis Antetokounmpo reportedly considered ending his career a year before he helped the Milwaukee Bucks win their first NBA championship since 1971.
The two-time MVP told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, “In 2020, I was… ready to walk away from the game.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo has opened up about his struggles with anxiety in the past.
In a 2019 interview with ESPN, he revealed that he often experiences anxiety before games and has been working with a therapist to address his mental health.
Giannis is not alone in his struggles with anxiety, as many athletes and individuals from all walks of life experience similar feelings of nervousness and worry.
By speaking openly about his experiences, Giannis promoted seeking treatment when necessary, lessening the stigma associated with mental health conditions.
Giannis Antetokounmpo tweeted in March 2023 that everyone needs mental health.
A week before the season started, the star almost retired after signing a five-year, $228 million deal. Antetokounmpo. It was the richest deal in NBA history at the time.
“Everybody — no matter where I am — everybody is watching me,”
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo recounted hearing a woman’s remarks while passing through a hotel in Orlando. “That’s the best player in the world.” According to Antetokounmpo, she allegedly told her grandkids what to say.
“Yeah, it’s good to hear that, but that’s a lot of pressure. Going through that … in order for you to be the best, you have to play like the best. You have to practice like the best. You got to carry yourself like the best. Which is not easy.” “As much as people say I’m handling it well because that’s my personality… it’s hard.“
Giannis Antetokounmpo
In 2020 provided two global health issues, adding to the strain Antetokounmpo highlighted following a second consecutive playoff loss.
After taking a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference finals of 2019, the Bucks lost to them.
The squad was thrown into the NBA bubble after COVID-19 ended the season, which brought fresh challenges while looking even better in 2020.
The Bucks engaged in social justice protests concerning problems in Milwaukee before being defeated by the Miami Heat in the second round.
In 2021 Stacy Oatman tweeted that Giannis Antetokounmpo had put off taking care of his mental health through his NBA journey.
Antetokounmpo, known to many as a cheery, dad joke-telling phenomenon, admitted that his mental health was suffering while he sought to get ready for another season.
“I feel like a lot of people deal with it, but they’re not willing to talk about it.” “They’re not willing to improve because this stigma is behind it. You talk about it; then you’re soft, you’re weak; this is a sport, you’ve got to be tough. You’ve got to fight through everything.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo
His mental state eventually became difficult to ignore.
“I can’t leave my family, “I need to talk to somebody.” said by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Antetokounmpo, now a father of two kids, was previously only a little child of Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo, who moved to Greece from Nigeria in search of a better life.
He remembers how hard it was for him and his siblings to keep up with food and lodging in the new nation. In 2017, Antetokounmpo’s father passed away suddenly.
Antetokounmpo underwent a change that allowed him to continue dominating the game despite the pressure after finally giving himself the time and space to realize the impact of all of that in therapy.
“Somebody helped put me in a place, again, to appreciate all of the things that I have that comes with being who I am,” he said. “To be OK with myself. To — no matter what the outcome is of the game — understand that I can’t control that. I can only control my effort. How hard I work. How I make people feel around me. How I try to, hopefully, inspire people from what I do.”
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo is also investing heavily in the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation, which seeks to aid widows, refugees, catastrophe victims, and the oppressed worldwide, in case some people cannot find motivation in his MVP-caliber efforts on the court.
Professional basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo competes for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
He was born in Greece in 1994 and is of Nigerian descent. He is often called “The Greek Freak” due to his unique size, athleticism, and skill combination.
Giannis began his professional career in Greece before being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the 2013 NBA Draft.
He quickly became a fan favorite due to his impressive play on the court and his engaging personality off the court.
Over the years, Giannis has established himself as one of the best players in the NBA, earning numerous awards and accolades.
In 2019, he was named the NBA’s most valuable player and led the Bucks to the best record in the league.
Off the court, Giannis is known for his philanthropic work and his commitment to his community. He is also a devoted family man and often talks about his family’s importance and faith in his life.
It’s critical to remember that getting treatment is a show of strength, not weakness, and mental health is equally as vital as physical health.
Resources are available to aid anyone experiencing anxiety or other mental health conditions.
All the images; used in the story are grabbed from videos.
