Last week, reports surfaced that LeBron James was struggling to find NBA players who were interested in appearing in the upcoming film Space Jam 2. Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the ballers who turned down an opportunity to appear in the movie.
During an interview with ESPN on Tuesday, Antetokounmpo, 24, said his sole interest is basketball and becoming the best player he can.. The film’s two-week shooting schedule during the NBA off-season would interfere with two weeks of private basketball workouts he has lined up. “I don’t like being Hollywood,” he said. “I don’t like all this extra drama. I am just going to try to be me.”
His dedication and reclusive nature may come a surprise to some, but for others, it’s the very reason the baller is in the running for this year’s MVP title.
“I just want to win,” says Antetokounmpo. “All that other stuff takes away from the game, and you just spend extra energy on looking good for five seconds. I don’t care about that. I just want to look good on the court. Get the win and go back home and lay on my couch and just watch game film. That’s it.”
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on James’ rumored struggle last week. “He’s [LeBron James] been recruiting players to come and try to be in Space Jam with him this summer, and he hasn’t been able to close some of those deals,” Windhorst said during an appearance on ESPN’s The Jump.
