Giannis Antetokounmpo is swapping jersey numbers for the first time in his NBA career, trading No. 34 for No. 7 as he begins his new chapter with the Miami Heat. The two-time MVP wore 34 for all 895 regular season games across 13 seasons in Milwaukee, a number tied to his parents’ birth years, and he’s choosing to leave it behind out of respect for the Bucks organization.The switch became official this week when Antetokounmpo took the stage alongside Heat president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra for his introductory press conference, closing the book on a Milwaukee tenure that ended amid trade rumors and disagreements over his health status.
Giannis Antetokounmpo shares his emotional reason behind his new jersey number
The number seven has personal roots for Antetokounmpo that stretch back to his rookie season. He explained that 34 combined his mother’s 1963 birth year and his father’s 1964 birth year, with three plus four equaling seven. “I wore 34 because my mom was born in 1963 and my dad was born in 1964 so I took the three and four… if you add three and four, it equals seven… I feel like 34 holds so much weight and it has so much history,” Antetokounmpo said.He added,”Out of respect to the organization that drafted me… I decided to leave that number there and try to start a new chapter.”Thirteen players have worn No. 7 in Heat franchise history, most recently Kel’el Ware last season before he was included in the trade that sent Antetokounmpo to Miami. Names like Lamar Odom, Anfernee Hardaway, Shawn Marion, Jermaine O’Neal, Goran Dragić and Kyle Lowry have also worn it.
Pat Riley welcomes Giannis Antetokounmpo to Miami Heat
Riley didn’t hide his excitement about landing Antetokounmpo, describing the moment as something close to nirvana for him personally. He recalled his first phone conversation with the star forward, saying he could hear real conviction in Antetokounmpo’s voice about wanting the same things Riley, Spoelstra and the Arison family want. Riley made clear the front office isn’t satisfied simply adding a superstar. “We want to win… another chip,” he said, adding the organization has no plans to wait around for it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is committed to making an impact on Miami Heat
Antetokounmpo said everything about the move still felt new even a day after arriving, from learning where his locker was to figuring out how to access the practice court. He also opened up about a vulnerable exchange with Riley, admitting he told the Heat president that beneath his physical presence, he still feels human emotions, including some nerves about the transition.The forward was direct about what he wants from Spoelstra going forward. “I’d rather you tell me an ugly truth than a beautiful lie,” Antetokounmpo said, framing honest coaching as the key to getting the best out of him.The Heat missed the playoffs last season, leaving real work ahead before Antetokounmpo’s new number carries the weight his old one did in Milwaukee. He said he thrives under pressure and doesn’t like staying in his comfort zone, adding that Miami feels like the right place for that challenge.
