WATCH: Giannis Antetokounmpo embraces the emotion of leading Greece as flag bearer at Paris Olympics opening night
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the many NBA stars competing in the 2024 Olympics. Similar to LeBron James, he has been given a very special honor in the opening ceremony.
Antetokounmpo will be representing his home country of Greece, and has been selected as a flag bearer. On Friday afternoon, the two-time MVP was filled with emotion carrying Greece's flag in Paris.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been playing for Greece's national team since 2013, first playing for their Under-20 team. A year later, he played for the senior team for the first time in the World Cup.
Antetokounmpo tried to help Greece qualify for the 2016 Olympics, but they came up short. After strong play in the qualifiers this year, Greece finds itself in Olympic competition in basketball.
The Bucks star has always been extremely passionate about his country. Now, he has a chance to deliver Greece a medal on the world's biggest stage.
Milwaukee Bucks GM speaks on Giannis Antetokounmpo playing for Greece in 2024 Olympics
When he isn't suiting up for his home country, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a pillar of the Milwaukee Bucks franchise. While there is some risk that comes with playing competitively year-round, the organization has been nothing but supportive of their superstar forward.
During a recent interview with The Athletic, Bucks general manager Jon Horst touched on Giannis' decision to suit up in the Olympics. He admitted there is some worry, but he is excited to see him in action up close.
"It’s historic, what he’s going to do, leading the country of Greece out in the Olympics Friday evening in Paris," Horst said. "I think that is beyond exciting. And I don’t know, you have some pride, you have some appreciation, watching him do that and just be part of his story and his path."
"So it’ll be that natural excitement balanced by you’re always worried watching guys, in my position. But that’s not unique to the Olympics. That’s every day in practice. That’s preseason game No. 1 and regular season game 82, I always have a nervousness watching him play."
As their top player, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a driving force in everything the Bucks do. If something were to happen to him over the summer, it would completely derail their season.
Last summer, Milwaukee made a big splash by trading for Damian Lillard. Despite adding a superstar-caliber player next to Giannis, the Bucks were able to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Heading into next season, they'll look to get the franchise back on track.
Horst isn't wrong to have some worry about Giannis playing in the Olympics. That said, given his history, the extra live reps should help him hit the ground running in 2025.