Giannis Antetokounmpo shared on Instagram this morning an interview filmed in 2013, presenting what were the Greek international’s career goals for the future.
The video shows the ‘The Players Tribune’ interviewer asking Giannis about goals for his future career, with the humble Greek-Nigerian wishing only, “To be an NBA player”.
The interview was taken seven years before Giannis became famously known as ‘The Greek Freak’, now the reigning NBA MVP. In the 2016/17 season, less than five years after the interview was filmed, Giannis became the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in all five statistics of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
At only 18 years old during the time of filming, Giannis was playing for Filathlitikos in the Greek A2 League, Greece’s second division.
On July 30, 2013, after making himself eligible for the 2013 NBA draft, he fulfilled his dream and signed his rookie scale contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The interviewer continued to ask 18-year-old Giannis in the video what kind of player he will be in the next five years.
“I’ll be much stronger. I’ll be much better in everything that I do, if I can,” Giannis says in the video.
In his Instagram caption, Giannis claims that it’s been 7 years later and he still hasn’t stopped working, continuing to be an inspiration for young NBA players around the world.
“Started off a skinny kid and 7 years later I haven’t stopped working. Always believe in your dreams even if others think it’s crazy!”