Milwaukee Bucks Superstar Considered Retirement in 2020

The Milwaukee Bucks finished with the best record in the NBA this season thanks to the singular talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo, but his continued dominance nearly came to an end in 2020. Speaking with Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the two-time MVP revealed he briefly considered retirement when he found his passion for basketball waning.

Giannis Antetokounmpo reveals he almost retired in 2020

“In 2020, I was ready to walk away from the game. I had that conversation – yes – with the front office.”

(Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) pic.twitter.com/QojqmAei2t
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"I'm a very stubborn human being," Antetokounmpo said. "If something doesn't make me happy, I don't do it. I don't want to do it. I'm just going to stay home, stay with my kids, stay with my family and try to be happy. I don't care. And this was right when I signed the largest contract in NBA history."

As Antetokounmpo describes it, he sincerely considered stepping away from the game after signing his colossal five-year, $228.2 million deal in December 2020. He goes on to describe his mental and emotional struggles with refreshing candor and attributes his refreshed joy for the game to therapy, soul-searching, and support from his team and family. His journey has inspired him to create the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation, which will provide free mental health services to residents in Milwaukee through April.

Antetokounmpo's progress and improved health have worked out splendidly for the Bucks. Antetokounmpo has been a ludicrously dominant player since signing that extension: he has averaged 29.7 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game over his past three seasons and led the team to a title following the 2020-21 season.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks will host either the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors, or Chicago Bulls in the first game of their round-one series on Sunday afternoon.