Antetokounmpo talks about sneaker contract: I decided to be loyal to the people who helped me

Hupu News on July 16th Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo talked about his first pair of signature shoes "Monster Generation" in an interview.

"Nike was the only company that gave me a chance during my rookie season," he said. "Other companies didn't want to sign me... I wasn't on the list... but people from Nike came over to talk to me. It means a lot to say, 'We want that kid and we're going to take care of him and his family.'" In late September 2017, Antetokounmpo and his family were in downtown Milwaukee. There was a meeting with Nike at the hotel. Antetokounmpo averaged 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game in the 2016-17 season, and scored 30 points in his first All-Star Game wearing Kobe 10. Nike decided to renew his contract and chose him to become the 22nd basketball player in the company's history to have a signature shoe. What’s even more memorable is that this is Nike’s first signature shoe player who was not born and raised in the United States.

Antetokounmpo couldn’t believe this was true.

"It touched me and I was like, okay, this is crazy... I'm like Kobe, Durant, James, all those guys who have their own signature shoes , I’m really happy to be able to play in them.” He couldn’t help but reflect on his beginnings in Greece, “Growing up as a kid, I never thought I would have my own signature shoe…. It’s my dream.”

“It was a difficult decision for me. There were many other companies willing to give me a lot of money and a big contract,” Antetokounmpo said. He did not choose Li Ning and Adidas. "At the end of the day, I decided to be loyal to the people who helped me. I want to build a brand where I started. This is who I am. Deep in my heart, I know this It’s the right decision.”