Basketball is bringing people together: NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo meets rising basketball players in Abu Dhabi

There’s a lot of enthusiasm leading up to the historic NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2022, which will be the league’s first time in the Middle East and feature the Milwaukee Bucks, the 2021 champions, taking against the Atlanta Hawks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo on X: "Abu Dhabi, thank you for a great week of  basketball and culture. 🙌🏾🏀🕌 https://t.co/QA6btmWXAV" / X

They said that the experience of being in Abu Dhabi would always hold a special place in their hearts, and that they will always treasure the sensation of being a part of history.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, the star forward for the Bucks, expressed his excitement about being a part of history when two NBA preseason games are played in the area for the first time.

Basketball is bringing people together: Milwaukee Bucks' stars in Abu Dhabi

“Bringing basketball here is an amazing experience. “It’s like everyone loves basketball, so it should be a global sport,” he said to a small gathering of reporters.

“It is historic for the NBA to come here, bring us here, and play the first game ever. It’s wonderful to be a part of history. I hope basketball is available everywhere in the world. Its goal is to unite individuals.

Giannis Antetokounmpo on X: "Abu Dhabi, thank you for a great week of  basketball and culture. 🙌🏾🏀🕌 https://t.co/QA6btmWXAV" / X

The Bucks forward Khris Middleton emphasized that it meant a lot to the club as a whole to be a part of a historic occasion.

“Just helping this game spread around the globe and uniting people from various nations and cultures.” It’s so awesome to be a part of history,” Middleton remarked.

Giannis Antetokounmpo on Twitter

And as soon as they landed in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, the Bucks’ players took to the basketball courts at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) to instruct both boys and girls in various skills.