Bucks Zone

Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't make up his mind about what team to root for in the NCAA

Unlike NBA defenses, Giannis just couldn't figure this one out.
Matthew Dugandzic|
Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't make up his mind about what team to root for in the NCAA
Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't make up his mind about what team to root for in the NCAA

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Milwaukee Bucks

March Madness is in full swing, and the conversation amongst NBA players is no different. Despite not attending college, Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo couldn't help but get swept up in all the madness.

Before their game against the Toronto Raptors last Sunday, the Greek Freak kicked it back with his teammates, asking them who they’re rooting for in the tournament. When it came to Giannis, though, the two-time MVP hilariously couldn’t decide, flip-flopping from one team to another.

From Arkansas to UCLA

Giannis first asked swingman Grayson Allen, how his Duke Blue Devils were doing in the tournament. When the rugged two-guard answered Duke had already been ousted, Giannis proudly boasted he was cheering for the Arkansas Razorbacks—the alma mater of his Bucks teammate, Bobby Portis Jr.

It didn’t take long, though, for Giannis to switch allegiances. When he learned that UCLA—the school where Jrue Holiday is from—is still alive in the tournament and will be taking on Gonzaga in the Sweet 16, Giannis quickly announced he was now going for UCLA. Giannis' indecision created a lot of laughter in the Bucks’ locker room, but it was all in good fun.

Wanted to be a Blue Devil

Giannis never got to taste NCAA basketball, as he played most of his formative basketball in Europe before making the jump to the NBA. Giannis also admitted that he never got any offers from the big-name Division 1 school, but had he been able to play college basketball, he said that he would have wanted to go to Duke.

“I like Duke because of the players that came out of that program. You usually see a lot of four men that don't fit the mold. I think I'm one of those guys. I'm 6'11, and I can handle the ball and pass and get in the paint. You see players like that who came out of that program: Zion Williamson, Jabari Parker, Jayson Tatum, and Brandon Ingram. Not only are they very good basketball-wise, but academically it's also a great school," said Giannis.

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Matthew Dugandzic
MATTHEW DUGANDZIC

Matthew finished his bachelor's degree in Economics (Management) at the University of Split and got his master's degree in the same field at the University of Zadar. Whether it is playing the game as an undersized 6'3'' power forward or simply watching it, Matthew can't get enough of it. After all, he has been an avid NBA fan since the 2000s. But don't get him wrong, as Matthew still loves the old-school NBA and is a true student of the game. From on-court moments to off-court stuff, whether it's about the stars of modern-day basketball or legends of the game, Matthew covers every category of the NBA world and basketball in general, as long as it makes for an engaging and exciting story.