In a rare, heartfelt interview on The 2Night Show, aired by Athens-based Ant1, NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo opened up about his life, family, faith, and future — with his signature mix of humility and warmth.
“All of this… I never expected it,” the “Greek Freak” admitted, reflecting on his journey from the streets of Sepolia, in inner-city Athens, to NBA stardom. Speaking with genuine emotion, Giannis shared stories from his childhood, his unshakable faith, and the love story that changed his life.
Giannis began by telling host Grigoris Arnaoutoglou that he used to watch the show with his family. “I was a big fan!”
Though he rarely gives interviews, Giannis explained why:
“People understand who I am. I just try to spend the little free time I have with my kids. During the season I travel a lot, so I’m not around as much as I’d like.”
Faith and family above all
Giannis spoke lovingly of his deep-rooted values.
“Family and basketball — those are my priorities, always in that order. My mother calls me every day. She prays, then hangs up,” he said with a laugh.
Despite his fame, Giannis still walks freely — though he admits it’s getting harder.
“I don’t have security. My wife tells me I should think about it. But when people come up to hug me, when a woman says ‘I’m so grateful, can I give you a hug?’ — that’s priceless. I just don’t want my wife and kids to lose their peace. Still, it’s beautiful.”
Love at first sight — after a rejection
Giannis smiled as he recalled how he met his wife, Mariah, in Las Vegas, where she worked for the NBA.
“She walked by, and I thought, that’s my wife. She reminded me of my mom — such positive energy. I was shy, so I sent a friend to talk to her… and she turned me down! That was in 2015. I tried again the next year — I told her, ‘I’m a good guy, let’s at least be friends.’”
A year later, she reached out.
“My mom loved her right away. My dad too — he asked if she was my friend or my mother!” he joked. “She was the first woman I ever brought home — and I married her. If my mom hadn’t liked her, I’d have opened the door and said, ‘Please, go!’”
The couple now has four children and may be expecting a fifth. Mariah has struggled to learn Greek, though their children attend a Greek school. He credits her with keeping him grounded amid fame and success, valuing her love for family over the spotlight.
“I want to finish my career in Greece”
At just 30, Giannis is already thinking about his legacy — and where he wants to end it.
“I could play in the NBA until 36 or 38, but I’d love to finish my career in Greece. I don’t want to live in America forever — I’ll come back home. Whether it’s with Filathlitikos, Olympiacos, or Panathinaikos… who knows?”
He also praised Greek basketball legends Vassilis Spanoulis and Dimitris Diamantidis, saying they’re among the greatest ever. While he’s unsure about coaching in the future, he understands the passion it takes.
On racism and perspective
Giannis reflected on the racism he has faced, admitting it once angered him, but he has learned to ignore the small minority who treat him unfairly.
“Not everyone will be happy for your success,” he concluded. “But there’s so much love out there — and that’s what I choose to focus on.”
