What Happened to Giannis Antetokounmpo? Who is Giannis Antetokounmpo?
by Sangamithra
Updated Dec 15, 2023
What Happened to Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Giannis Antetokounmpo recently made headlines for breaking the Milwaukee Bucks' scoring record with an impressive 64 points against the Indiana Pacers. However, the post-game celebration turned into chaos when the game ball, meant for rookie Oscar Tshiebwe's first NBA point, became the center of a dispute.
After the game, Antetokounmpo was seen rushing down the tunnel, and a scuffle ensued over the game ball. It was later revealed that a Pacers coach took the ball for Tshiebwe, leading to confusion. Antetokounmpo expressed uncertainty about the ball he ended up with, stating it didn't feel like the game ball he played with.
The situation escalated, involving both teams' players in a heated exchange in the hallway. Despite efforts by Bucks guard Cameron Payne to retrieve the ball for Antetokounmpo, tensions remained high. The game itself had its intense moments, including an on-court melee between Antetokounmpo and Pacers' Aaron Nesmith, resulting in Bucks forward Bobby Portis' ejection.
In the aftermath, both teams downplayed the incident as part of the competitiveness in the league. Antetokounmpo, disappointed but resilient, mentioned that though the situation was unfortunate, life continues. The incident added a dramatic twist to an already remarkable night for the Greek basketball sensation.
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Who is Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Giannis Antetokounmpo, born in Athens, Greece, is a professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Known as the "Greek Freak" due to his extraordinary skills, he is considered one of the greatest power forwards and European players in basketball history. Antetokounmpo, of Greek and Nigerian nationality, stands at 6 feet 11 inches and weighs 243 pounds.
Starting his basketball journey with Filathlitikos in Athens, he joined the senior team in 2011 before being drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013 as the 15th overall pick. In the 2016–17 season, he made NBA history by leading the Bucks in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, a unique accomplishment. He received the Most Improved Player award in 2017.
Throughout his career, Antetokounmpo has achieved numerous accolades, including being a 7-time NBA All-Star, a 2-time NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP), and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. In 2021, he led the Bucks to their first NBA championship in 50 years and was named the NBA Finals MVP. His remarkable achievements have solidified his place among the league's all-time greats. The film "Rise," released in 2022, depicts his life and family.
Full Name
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Date of Birth
December 6, 1994
Place of Birth
Athens, Greece
Height
6 feet 11 inches (2.11 meters)
Position
Forward-Center
NBA Debut
2013 with Milwaukee Bucks
Draft Year
2013, 1st round, 15th pick
Teams
Milwaukee Bucks
NBA Championships
2021 with the Milwaukee Bucks
NBA MVP Awards
2019, 2020
All-Star Appearances
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
Nickname
The Greek Freak
Giannis Antetokounmpo Early Life
Giannis Antetokounmpo, born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece, had a unique early life as the son of Nigerian immigrants. His father was a former soccer player in Nigeria, and his mother excelled in the high jump. The family moved to Greece from Lagos, leaving Giannis's older brother Francis in the care of their grandparents. Growing up in the Athens neighborhood of Sepolia, the Antetokounmpo family faced challenges as immigrants without work permits.
To support the family, Giannis and his brother Thanasis sold watches, handbags, and sunglasses on the streets. Despite being born in Greece, Giannis and three of his brothers didn't automatically receive Greek citizenship due to the country's nationality laws. This, coupled with his parents' heritage and different skin color, made him feel like an outsider in both the Greek and Nigerian communities.
For the first 18 years of his life, Giannis was effectively stateless and couldn't travel outside the country. In 2013, just before the NBA draft, Giannis was granted Greek citizenship, and his surname was officially changed to Antetokounmpo.
The difficulty in pronouncing his surname led to the nickname "Greek Freak." Despite the challenges, Giannis embraces both his Greek and Nigerian identities, holding dual citizenship and expressing a sense of connection to both cultures.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Career
Giannis Antetokounmpo, widely known as the "Greek Freak," has carved an extraordinary career trajectory in the NBA, showcasing immense talent, versatility, and an unparalleled work ethic. Born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece, his journey to basketball stardom is a testament to determination and raw skill. Antetokounmpo's professional career commenced in Greece with Filathlitikos during the 2011–2012 season in the semi-pro Greek B Basket League.
His remarkable performance attracted attention, leading to a contract with Spanish club CAI Zaragoza in 2012. However, his true breakthrough occurred when he declared for the 2013 NBA draft, where the Milwaukee Bucks selected him 15th overall. From his NBA debut in 2013, Antetokounmpo's impact was immediate. His early years with the Bucks displayed steady development, earning him a place in the Rising Stars Challenge during the All-Star Weekend and recognition on the NBA All-Rookie second team.
The 2016–2017 season marked a turning point as Antetokounmpo achieved All-Star status, led the Bucks in all major statistical categories, and earned his first All-NBA honor. His versatility and improvement continued, resulting in the NBA Most Improved Player Award for the 2016–2017 season. Antetokounmpo's ascendancy reached new heights in the 2018–2019 season.
Under coach Mike Budenholzer, he led the Bucks to a league-best record, secured an All-NBA First Team selection, and clinched the coveted NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. The subsequent seasons witnessed Antetokounmpo's dominance, earning back-to-back MVP awards in 2019 and 2020 and adding the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, joining a select group of legends to achieve this dual distinction.
The pinnacle of his career came in the 2020–2021 season when Antetokounmpo delivered a historic performance, leading the Bucks to an NBA championship and securing the NBA Finals MVP title. His remarkable skills, leadership, and resilience made him the face of the Milwaukee Bucks and a global basketball icon.
Beyond individual accolades, Antetokounmpo's commitment to excellence, both in scoring and defensive prowess, has solidified his status as one of the NBA's premier players. As he continues to evolve and add to his impressive legacy, Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a driving force in the basketball world, captivating fans with his extraordinary athleticism and passion for the game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Age
As of 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo, celebrated as the "Greek Freak," is 29 years old. Born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece, he has left an indelible mark on the NBA with his remarkable skill set, versatility, and leadership.
Emerging as a key player for the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis has been instrumental in their success, showcasing an unparalleled blend of athleticism and basketball IQ. At this juncture of his career, the 29-year-old continues to be a dominant force in professional basketball, earning accolades and reinforcing his position among the league's premier talents.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Net Worth
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the famous Greek basketball star known as "the Greek Freak," boasts a net worth of $70 million. As one of the NBA's highest-paid players, he rakes in an annual salary of $45 million. Beyond his financial success, Giannis has made history by being the first NBA player to rank in the top 20 for points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals in a regular season.
Notably, he clinched back-to-back NBA MVP Awards in 2019 and 2020 and, in 2021, led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship in half a century. His remarkable skills on the court and numerous accolades contribute to his impressive net worth.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Stats
2013–14
Milwaukee
77
23
24.6
.414
.347
.683
4.4
1.9
.8
.8
6.8
2014–15
Milwaukee
81
71
31.4
.491
.159
.741
6.7
2.6
.9
1.0
12.7
2015–16
Milwaukee
80
79
35.3
.506
.257
.724
7.7
4.3
1.2
1.4
16.9
2016–17
Milwaukee
80
80
35.6
.522
.272
.770
8.7
5.4
1.6
1.9
22.9
2017–18
Milwaukee
75
75
36.7
.529
.307
.760
10.0
4.8
1.5
1.4
26.9
2018–19
Milwaukee
72
72
32.8
.578
.256
.729
12.5
5.9
1.3
1.5
27.7
2019–20
Milwaukee
63
63
30.4
.553
.304
.633
13.6
5.6
1.0
1.0
29.5
2020–21†
Milwaukee
61
61
33.0
.569
.303
.685
11.0
5.9
1.2
1.2
28.1
2021–22
Milwaukee
67
67
32.9
.553
.293
.722
11.6
5.8
1.1
1.4
29.9
2022–23
Milwaukee
63
63
32.1
.553
.275
.645
11.8
5.7
.8
.8
31.1
Career
719
654
32.5
.537
.287
.708
9.6
4.7
1.1
1.3
22.6
All-Star
7
7
25.6
.717
.316
.667
7.7
3.0
1.3
.9
25.1‡
Year
Team
GP
GS
MPG
FG%
3P%
FT%
RPG
APG
SPG
BPG
PPG
What Happened to Giannis Antetokounmpo - FAQs
Giannis Antetokounmpo stands at 6 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 243 pounds.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award twice, in 2019 and 2020.
Giannis is affectionately known as "The Greek Freak" due to his exceptional skills and athleticism.
Giannis led the Milwaukee Bucks to an NBA championship in 2021, ending a 50-year title drought for the team.
Giannis Antetokounmpo became an NBA All-Star for the first time in 2017 and has been selected in every All-Star Game since then.