Giannis Antetokounmpo in action for the Milwaukee Bucks. | © Twitter (@HoopsRumors)
Giannis Antetokounmpo, in Athens, Greece, is a Greek basketball player who led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021. His parents were Nigerian immigrants without legal status in Greece, making Giannis and three of his four brothers stateless. The family struggled financially and faced discrimination, with Giannis sometimes selling items on the streets to help make ends meet.
Personal Information
| HEIGHT | 6’11” (2.11m) |
|---|---|
| WEIGHT | 243lb (110kg) |
| COUNTRY | Greece |
| LAST ATTENDED | Filathlitikos |
| AGE | 29 years |
| BIRTHDATE | December 6, 1994 |
| DRAFT | 2013 R1 Pick 15 |
| EXPERIENCE | 10 Years |
Personal life
In the 2019 FIBA World Cup, he averaged 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 5 games, leading Greece to the Second Round with a 52.5% shooting rate. During the 2016 Olympic Qualifiers, he scored 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game in 3 games. In the 2014 FIBA World Cup, he had 6.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 16 minutes per game, with notable performances against Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Argentina. In the 2013 U20 European Championships, he averaged 8.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 10 games, ranking high in defensive rebounds and blocks as Greece finished fifth. For the 2012-13 season with Filathlitikos AO, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists, shooting 62.1% from 2-point range, and played in the Greek League All-Star Game.
Professional Career
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the 2018-19 NBA MVP and a 3-time NBA All-Star Game starter (2017, 2018, 2019), even captaining Team Giannis in 2019. He made the All-NBA team three times (1st team in 2019, 2nd team in 2017 and 2018) and the All-Defensive team twice (1st team in 2019, 2nd team in 2017). He won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award in 2017 and holds the Bucks’ record for triple-doubles (14). Giannis was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month five times and Player of the Week nine times. He also participated in various All-Star Weekend events in 2014 and 2015 and was on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2013-14.
Before NBA
Before the 2018-19 NBA season, the player had a standout MVP-winning season, playing 72 games and averaging career highs in points (27.7, 3rd in the NBA), rebounds (12.5, 6th in the NBA), and assists (5.9) per game. He set a franchise record with a 57.8% field goal percentage and became the 9th player in NBA history to average 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in a season. Highlights included scoring a career-high 52 points against Philadelphia and achieving five triple-doubles throughout the season. He consistently scored in double figures in 69 games, had 20+ points in 58 games, 30+ points in 29 games, and 40+ points in 5 games. He missed a few games due to various injuries but made a significant impact when on the court.
In the 2017-18 season, he set career highs in points (26.9) and rebounds (10.0), playing 75 games and ranking 2nd in the NBA for minutes per game. He achieved his first triple-double of the season against Denver and recorded double-doubles in 42 games. The 2016-17 season saw him leading his team in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals, becoming the first player in NBA history to rank in the top 20 in all these categories. His first triple-double came in the 2015-16 season, where he played 80 games and averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. In his rookie season (2013-14), he averaged 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds over 77 games, leading all NBA rookies in blocks. In the playoffs, he consistently scored in double figures, had several 20+ point games, and achieved multiple double-doubles, with standout performances in the 2019 postseason.
Records
Most Free Throws Attempted
| LFT | LEAGUE | SEASON | DATE | TEAM | OPPONENT | SCORE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | NBA | 23-24 | Dec 14, 2023 | Milwaukee Bucks | Indiana Pacers | 140 – 126 |
| 24 | NBA | 20-21 | Feb 22, 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Sacramento Kings | 128 – 115 |
| 24 | NBA | 22-23 | Mar 15, 2023 | Milwaukee Bucks | Phoenix Suns | 104 – 116 |
| 23 | NBA | 21-22 | Nov 21, 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Orlando Magic | 117 – 108 |
| 22 | NBA | 17-18 | Dec 2, 2017 | Milwaukee Bucks | Sacramento Kings | 109 – 104 |
| 22 | NBA | 22-23 | Dec 20, 2022 | Milwaukee Bucks | New Orleans Pelicans | 119 – 128 |
| 22 | NBA | 22-23 | Jan 26, 2023 | Milwaukee Bucks | Denver Nuggets | 107 – 99 |
| 22 | NBA | 23-24 | Jan 20, 2024 | Milwaukee Bucks | Detroit Pistons | 135 – 141 |
| 21 | NBA | 16-17 | Feb 10, 2017 | Milwaukee Bucks | Los Angeles Lakers | 114 – 122 |
| 21 | NBA | 16-17 | Mar 31, 2017 | Milwaukee Bucks | Detroit Pistons | 108 – 105 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Giannis Antetokounmpo can speak Greek fluently and often gives interviews in Greek. He impresses reporters with how well he speaks the language, showing his strong connection to his Greek roots.
Giannis is known for his size, speed, and strength, as well as being from Greece, earning him the nickname “Greek Freak.” He is considered one of the greatest power forwards and one of the best players in basketball history.
Giannis chose the number 34 because it combines the 3 from his mother’s birth year and the 4 from his father’s birth year. His brother Thanasis did the opposite and wears 43.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has played in the NBA for 11 years.
