By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Over the years, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has been speculated to consider another team beyond the Milwaukee Bucks. Of course, NBA teams were involved in those unconfirmed rumors. Add Anadolu Efes or another team guided by Ergin Ataman to the mix.
The head coach of the Istanbul giant, back-to-back champion of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, talking to S Sport, the official TV right holder of EuroLeague in Turkey, stretched to Giannis. He shared a discussion between him and the NBA star in Athens during the 31st International Tournament Acropolis Aegean establishing the link for future collaboration.
“He came and said ‘Coach, you are playing amazing basketball. I admire you and your team. It is my dream to play under you one day.’ I responded ‘I’m waiting,’ mentioned Ataman, “Like all the players that transferred to Efes, Giannis Antetokounmpo will be welcomed too.”
Ataman, 56, was coaching the Turkish senior national team in the international friendly tournament. Both Turkey and Greece were then preparing for the 2022 EuroBasket and the preceding international window consisting of the latest batch of games for the 2023 FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
“It’s nice that players want to play under me. At the end of the day, you are doing a job and must enjoy it,” added Ataman, “We had a nice conversation with Giannis. One day, I would like to see him play under me, I don’t know which team it will be because you can’t predict anything in professional basketball, but I think I will be Giannis’ coach after the NBA.”