Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks is one of the greatest basketballers of the modern generation. He is a two-time NBA MVP, a former defensive player of the year, and an NBA champion.
Antetokounmpo is arguably one of the greatest two-way players of all time. Adept at scoring at an incredible clip, and defining at the highest level, either as a help defender or as a rim protector.
The Nigerian-Greek 6ft11 power forward led the Bucks to a championship in 2021, finally delivering on the promise he made to himself when he was drafted.
The story of Giannis Antetokounmpo is one with many layers and one that encapsulates determination, grit, hard work, and the never-say-never attitude.
From struggling to eat three square meals to becoming an NBA champion, here are 10 things you need to know about Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Early life
Giannis Antetokounmpo was born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece, to Nigerian parents. His father was a football player, and his mother was a high jumper. The family had moved to Greece three years earlier to look for a better life, leaving behind their eldest son, Francis.
Growing up in the Athens neighborhood of Sepolia, Giannis and his parents struggled to live above the poverty line. His parents’ immigration status made it difficult for them to find work, and Giannis and his older brother Thanasis had to help out by selling items on the streets.
Giannis Antetokounmpo started playing basketball in 2007, but there was nothing rosy or optimistic about his chances. As the child of Nigerian immigrants, he did not automatically receive Greek citizenship, and for 18 years, he had no identity and no papers, unable to travel outside the country.
It was reported that he often felt like an outsider in both the Greek and Nigerian communities in Athens, struggling to connect with his heritage due to his mixed background and lack of understanding of the Yoruba or Igbo languages.
It wasn’t until May 9, 2013, that Giannis was finally issued Greek citizenship, just two months before the NBA draft. This marked a turning point in his life, paving the way for his future success in basketball.
Professional career before NBA
Before making his mark in the NBA, Giannis Antetokounmpo honed his skills in Greece and Spain. During the 2011-2012 season, he played for Filathlitikos in the semi-pro Greek B Basket League, competing in the third division.
In December 2012, just days after turning 18, Antetokounmpo signed a four-year deal with Spanish club CAI Zaragoza. The contract reportedly included NBA buyouts after each season, a testament to his growing reputation as a promising young player.
Several other top European clubs, including Barcelona and Anadolu Efes, had also expressed interest in signing him.
During the 2012-2013 Greek A2 League season, Antetokounmpo impressed with his all-around skills. He shot 46.4% from the field, 31.3% from three-point range, and 72.0% from the free throw line, while averaging 22.5 minutes per game. Over 26 games, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Antetokounmpo’s performances earned him a special invitation to participate in the 2013 Greek League All-Star Game. Although he wasn’t officially selected as an all-star, the coaches allowed him to play in the game as a treat for the fans.
NBA Draft and Milwaukee Bucks
On April 28, 2013, Giannis Antetokounmpo made himself eligible for the 2013 NBA draft. As expected, he was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks, fulfilling his first-round pick projections.
Antetokounmpo signed his rookie scale contract with the Bucks on July 30, 2013. Just a few months later, on October 13, 2013, he made his NBA debut at the age of 18 years and 311 days, becoming one of the youngest players in the league.
Outstanding Rookie season
During his rookie season, Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 77 appearances.
He scored in double figures 23 times and grabbed at least 10 rebounds twice, recording two double-doubles. His 61 total blocks led all NBA rookies and ranked seventh among Bucks rookies in franchise history.
Antetokounmpo’s impressive rookie season earned him a spot in the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans.
He contributed nine points, two rebounds, and two assists in 17 minutes. At the end of the season, the Nigerian-Greek star was named to the 2013-2014 NBA All-Rookie second team, a testament to his promising start in the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: Becoming a star
Giannis’s second season with the Bucks highlighted his significant growth, both individually and as a team. On February 6, 2015, he recorded a then-career-high 27 points and 15 rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
This impressive performance earned him Eastern Conference Player of the Week honors for games played February 2-8, his first such recognition.
Later that season, Antetokounmpo showcased his athleticism in the 2015 NBA Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in New York.
As the season progressed, he continued to raise his game, scoring a then-career-high 29 points on 11-of-16 shooting in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on March 9.
The 2015-2016 season saw Antetokounmpo take another leap forward, increasing his scoring average to nearly 17 points per game.
He scored a then-career-high 33 points in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 19. On December 12, he helped the Bucks snap the Golden State Warriors’ 24-game unbeaten start to the season with a 108-95 win, contributing 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Antetokounmpo’s breakout season was capped off with his first career triple-double on February 22, 2016.
At just 21 years old, he became the youngest Buck to achieve this feat, recording 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 108-101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Giannis Antetokounmpo: First big contract & All-Star appearances
On September 19, 2016, Antetokounmpo agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Bucks. His performances improved year after year and in the 2018-2019 season, he was named the league’s Most Valuable Player. He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the second Bucks player to win MVP.
Antetokounmpo’s dominance continued into the 2019-2020 season, with him winning his second consecutive MVP award. This achievement put him in elite company, alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan, as the only players to win MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season.
NBA Championship and Finals MVP (2020-2021)
The 2020-2021 season was a historic one for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. After re-signing with the Bucks on a 5-year, $228 million extension, Antetokounmpo led the team to a 46-26 record and a third seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Bucks went on to defeat the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in 47 years.
In the NBA Finals, Antetokounmpo faced off against the Phoenix Suns. Despite losing the first two games, the Bucks came back to win the series 4-2.
Antetokounmpo’s dominant performance earned him NBA Finals MVP honors, with averages of 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game. At 26 years old, he became the youngest player since Kawhi Leonard in 2014 to be named Finals MVP.
How rich is Giannis Antetokounmpo?
What is Giannis Antetokounmpo’ networth? According to Forbes, Giannis is worth a whopping $93.8M.
In December 2020, Antetokounmpo signed a five-year, $228 million supermax extension with the Milwaukee Bucks. The deal included an opt-out clause after the fourth year. He later added a three-year extension to his contract in October 2023.
Antetokounmpo’s success has attracted several high-profile sponsors. Some of his notable endorsement deals include:
– Nike: Extended its deal with Antetokounmpo in 2017, releasing the Zoom Freak 1 in 2019, the largest initial signature shoe launch in Nike basketball history.
– Disney: Secured a deal in 2020 to develop a movie around Antetokounmpo’s life, titled “Rise,” which was released on Disney+ in June 2022.
– Other sponsors: Amazon, Breitling, Come Ready Foods LLC, Google, Meta, PepsiCo, and Unilever.
Is Giannis Antetokounmpo married?
Giannis Antetokounmpo has a devoted support system that includes his loving family and adoring basketball fans, who fondly call him the “Greek Freak.”
At the forefront of his support system are his three kids and wife, Mariah Riddlesprigger.
The couple, who wed in the summer of 2024, have built a beautiful life together. They welcomed their sons, Liam Charles and Maverick Shai, in 2020 and 2021, respectively. In 2023, they added a daughter, Eva Brooke, to their family.
Giannis Antetokounmpo gives back to the community
The Antetokounmpo family is committed to giving back. In 2022, they launched the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation, named after Giannis’ late father, which supports nonprofits in their local Milwaukee community and around the world.
He also visited Nigeria in 2023, where he engaged in basketball outreach and charitable endeavors.
