“He Would Pick Used Shoes From Trash”: How Giannis Antetokounmpo Impressed His Teammates During the Initial Years

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has several awards, brand endorsements and achievements under his belt. He is one of the best players in the NBA currently and an idol for many. However, our beloved Giannis didn’t always have it easy.

How Giannis Antetokounmpo struggled to get here

The Milwaukee Bucks drafted Giannis in 2013. Even as he just began his career, his seniors knew he was a potential star in the league. They saw him work hard, without thinking of the obstacles. Former NBA star Caron Butler, especially, was sure that Giannis would go on to become of the best.

In a 2019 interview, Butler revealed that he felt Giannis was special. Butler said, “He’s a special talent, he can do so many things. He wasn’t a scorer or the go-to guy yet, but he possessed the ability to just have it. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s like having the feel, having the presence, having the high basketball IQ. He had it.”

Talking about how Giannis kept his work ethic strong even as he struggled through his rookie years, Butler divulged that the Bucks star didn’t let anything stop him. Not even if he had to play barefoot.

Talking about an incident from years ago, he said, “I recall him running around dunking barefoot on the practice courts, because he didn’t have a shoe contract yet.”

Then Bulter revealed how Giannis managed his situation. He said, “Some guys used to throw four or five game-used shoes in the trash. Giannis would pick them up, he’d go get them. That meant everything to him. He had that desire and hunger to just be better than everyone else, and I’ve seen it. You can’t teach that.”

Butler also revealed why he thinks Giannis deserved the 2018-19 MVP award.

“He was able to keep police himself to stay dialed in to his goals and what he wants to get out of this game. That’s why he’s a great young player, and why he’s the MVP of this season in my eyes.”

There was a time when Giannis and elder brother would sell watches, handbags and sunglasses in the street, to help their parents. When they were younger and played basketball in Filathlitikos, they would always use one pair of shoes between the two of them.

Now, Giannis Antetokounmpo has his own signature shoe line, ‘Nike Zoom Freak’. And one thing he still takes pride in is that he still hasn’t purchased a single pair with his own money.