I think he takes personal joy in playing the Pacers. Both were the No. [20] Three days later, he was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played February 2–8, earning Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. In 2011, he began playing for the club's senior team before entering the 2013 NBA draft, where he was selected 15th overall by the Bucks. [44] Three days later, he was named a starter for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, becoming the first Buck since Marques Johnson (1979–80) to be named a starter in two straight All-Star Games. [5][6][7] Three years earlier, his parents had moved from Lagos, leaving behind their firstborn son, Francis, with his grandparents. [9] After gaining Greek citizenship in 2013, his family Hellenized their surname from Adetokunbo to Antetokounmpo to more closely follow Greek spelling rules. At a young age, he was a part of a youth team known as Filathlitkos. Giannis’ Younger Brother Makes College Basketball Decision CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 26: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks runs onto the … Antetokounmpo tallied 40 points (14-18 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 11-16 FT), 15 rebounds, six assists and a steal over 35 minutes Thursday in a 142-133 win over Indiana. It’s the gold Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the NBA Finals. [27] Antetokounmpo's fourth season would be his breakout season, as he further increased his statistical output and ascended to stardom. [76] With this achievement, he became only the third player in NBA history, after Michael Jordan and Kevin Garnett, to win an MVP, All-Star MVP and Defensive Player of the Year award in his career. The Bucks (44-25) remained a game behind Brooklyn (45-24) for the second spot in the East. Whereas the Raptors star left San Diego State after his sophomore year, Antetokounmpo found his way to the pros without college. On February 6, 2015, he recorded a then career-high 27 points and 15 rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets. He started his professional career by signing up to play for the junior squad of the Filathlitikos B.C., a Greek professional basketball club. For more info on the event go to eurobasket2015.org Subscribe to our YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/FIBAworld?sub_confirmation=1), visit the official FIBA website (fiba.com) and follow us on our social media platforms to never miss a beat. He averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds across the six games, while shooting 45.8% from the field. 15 overall pick in the NBA Draft (Antetokounmpo in 2013, Leonard in 2011). A number of other major European clubs had been interested in adding him, including Barcelona and Efes. "I am examining my options. On January 23, 2020, Antetokounmpo was named an All-Star Game captain, alongside James, for the second consecutive year. [120], On February 10, 2020, his girlfriend Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to their son, Liam Charles. Despite not being the primary ball handler of the Bucks, he has largely orchestrated the team's offense. Even though he was not actually selected as an all-star, the coaches let him play in the game as a treat for the fans. [94][95] His rare combination of size and speed frequently enables him to cross half a court in a single dribble and blowing past multiple defenders. Thanasis Antetokounmpo. At the end of a demanding NBA regular season, the two-time MVP concedes there’s fatigue, even after he dominated with 40 points, 15 rebounds and six assists to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a 142-133 victory over the … INDIANAPOLIS — Giannis Antetokounmpo had so many powerful dunks on Thursday night, he tried to be mindful about not expending energy in celebrating too much. [34] Antetokounmpo helped the Bucks finish an Eastern Conference-best 14–4 in March, the franchise's first calendar month with at least 14 victories since going 16–2 in February 1971. The Bucks need him to outduel Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard to stand a chance at making the franchise’s first NBA Finals since 1974. [17][18], Antetokounmpo made his NBA debut on October 13, 2013, at the age of 18 years, 311 days, as one of the youngest NBA players ever. [115] He is now with the Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo's Career-High – Greece NT (22 Points), ✖ Facebook: facebook.com/basket24gr ✖ Twitter: twitter.com/basket24gr Greece 92-80 Netherlands (Acropolis Tournament 27/08/15), Antetokounmpo's Block Introduces Great Shot- EuroBasket 2015, Giannis Antetokounmpo with a great block, which introduces a nice shot by Georgios Printezis. Alex Antetokounmpo, the youngest brother of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, plans to skip college and play professionally in Europe to prepare for the NBA. [99] He averaged nearly 6 assists per game during both the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons. Born in Greece to Nigerian parents, Antetokounmpo began playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. [37] He was also named the recipient of the NBA Most Improved Player Award for the 2016–17 season, becoming the first player in Bucks history to be named Most Improved Player. Giannis Antetokounmpo, nicknamed the ‘Greek Freak’, is a Greek basketball playe,r who also represents the NBA basketball team, ‘Milwaukee Bucks’. In doing so, he joined Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan as the only players to win MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season. [54][55] He avenged this loss in an April 4 victory where he recorded 45 points and 13 rebounds in a 128–122 win over the 76ers, helping the Bucks clinch the No. In eight games, he averaged 9.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Giannis was born in … Copyright © 2021 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. [77], Antetokounmpo represented Greece for the first time in July 2013 with the Greek Under-20 national team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship. Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek Basketball player who has received a lot of recognition and appreciation. The National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player is currently playing for Greece at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China.. [11] In 2007, Antetokounmpo started playing basketball. Giannis Antetokounmpo slams Pacers, but Bucks’ defense still a problem heading into the playoffs By Eric Nehm May 14, 2021 From the Bucks’ bench, … Alex Antetokounmpo, who graduated from Dominican High School in Wisconsin, told EuroHoops.net of his plans Saturday. He participated for the Greek Under-20 national team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championships, 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, EuroBasket 2015 and 2016 Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Bucks - Game Summary - December 16, 2019 - ESPN", "Giannis not playing basketball; no 'access to hoop, "Giannis: No access to basketball hoop a ruse", "Celtics vs. [78], Antetokounmpo again joined the Greek national team for EuroBasket 2015. They are all of Nigerian descent. Mariah Riddlesprigger was born on September 17, 1992, in Fresno, California.Likewise, her mother, Cathy Riddlesprigger, was a regular housemaker. Basketball. [88], Standing 6 feet 11 inches (2.11 m) tall and weighing 242 pounds (110 kg), Antetokounmpo is officially listed as a forward and sometimes described as a point forward,[89][90][91] but has been deployed across all five positions. "I am examining my options. Over 26 games, he averaged 9.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game. Greece failed to medal in each event. [98] As a result, Antetokounmpo is taking more jump shots, averaging a career-high 4.7 three-point goals attempted and 1.4 made per game in 2019–20. He finished the season with 61 total blocks, which led all NBA rookies and was the seventh-most by a Bucks rookie in franchise history. Antetokounmpo's Block Introduces Great Shot- EuroBasket 2015Giannis Antetokounmpo with a great block, which introduces a nice shot by Georgios Printezis. It is clear to me that Giannis is playoff-ready. He didn’t even play high school basketball. Every time out, the performance is usually good for the Greek Freak. [67] He later clarified that he did have access to a gym and basketball hoop, explaining his earlier comments as a means to "get a little bit ahead of the competition. He didn’t even play high school basketball. [36] As a result of his efforts, Antetokounmpo was named to the All-NBA Second Team, earning his first All-NBA honor. [32] In the game, he led the East with 30 points in a 192–182 loss to the West. [60] He joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the second Bucks player to win MVP, and became the third youngest player to win the MVP over the previous 40 seasons, behind Derrick Rose and LeBron James. He is the older brother of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo. [14] He was also selected by the coaches as a special participant in the 2013 Greek League All-Star Game. [51][52][53] On March 17, Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 52 points to go with 16 rebounds in a 130–125 loss to the 76ers. [74], On December 15, 2020, Antetokounmpo re-signed with the Bucks, coming to terms on a 5-year, $228 million extension, the largest in league history. Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Scores 28 in loss 11H ago • by RotoWire Staff Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo: Double-doubles in win He only averaged in double figures for scoring at Turin, tallying 15.3 points per game. Alex Antetokounmpo is just the latest young player to spurn college basketball for the chance to … [23] On December 12, he recorded a near triple-double with 11 points, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, helping the Bucks snap the Golden State Warriors' 24 game unbeaten start to the season with a 108–95 win. Position: Small Forward Shoots: Right 6-6, 219lb (198cm, 99kg) Born: July 18, 1992 in Athens, Greece gr. Bucks - Game Summary - July 31, 2020 - ESPN", "Bucks news: Giannis Antetokounmpo with highest PER in NBA history", "NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for Player Efficiency Rating", "Butler's walk-off FTs cap wild finish against Bucks", "Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update: Bucks star ruled out for Game 5 against Heat", "Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo wins 2019-20 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award", "Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign supermax extension with Milwaukee Bucks", "Team LeBron dominates an NBA All-Star Game that feels incomplete", "Giannis Antetokounmpo joins Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett with historic record", "2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup – Giannis Antetokounmpo", "Giannis Antetokounmpo profile, FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament 2016", "archive.fiba.com: 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament", "11-08-2017 / BELGRADE GREECE 83 - 81 MONTENEGRO", "Giannis Antetokounmpo to miss Eurobasket 2017; Greece Federation blames Bucks", "Giannis Antetokounmpo to miss EuroBasket", "Giannis Antetokounmpo Ruled Out of EuroBasket 2017 with Knee Injury", "Giannis ANTETOKOUNMPO 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup STATISTICS", "Giannis Antetokounmpo stats, details, videos, and news", "Giannis Antetokounmpo Looks Like A Freaking MVP", "Basketball's Positionless Savior Is Ready for Primetime", "The Unspeakable Greatness of Giannis Antetokounmpo", "We've Never Seen A Player Quite Like Giannis Antetokounmpo", "A Couple of Ways Giannis Can Become Even Better", "Every time Giannis Antetokounmpo has gone from half court to the rim in 1 dribble", "Why the Eurostep is the NBA's most controversial move -- and its most lethal", "How Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors have shut down Giannis Antetokounmpo to take control of the conference finals", "Giannis Antetokounmpo Is Creating More Than Ever", "Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Has NBA's Best Case For Defensive Player Of The Year", "If the NBA Season Is Over, Who Deserves Defensive Player of the Year? For right now, his goal is not the gold medal. Filathlitikos was affiliated in Greece’s third-tier level semi-pro league, the Greek 3rd Division. Antetokounmpo won back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player Awards in 2019 and 2020, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to win two MVPs before turning 26. The Nets defeated Chicago 115-107 on Tuesday night. [29] With 25 points against the Knicks on January 6, Antetokounmpo had at least 20 points in his 14th consecutive game, matching the longest streak by a Bucks player since Michael Redd in 2006. [63] After a December 14 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Antetokounmpo had lead the Bucks to their 18th straight victory, 2 shy of the franchise record. On January 15, 2018, he recorded 27 points and a career-high 20 rebounds in a 104–95 win over the Wizards,[43] becoming the second-youngest Buck to record a 20–20 game behind Andrew Bogut. It was his ninth career triple-double, passing Abdul-Jabbar for most in Bucks history. Highly athletic and versatile, Antetokounmpo is often recognized as one of the best all-around players in the NBA, and many analysts have declared him "positionless" and as embodying the future of the league. [70][71] During the playoffs, the Bucks advanced to the second round but lost 4–1 to the Miami Heat. Giannis Antetokounmpo's Career-High – Greece NT (22 Points)✖ Facebook: facebook.com/basket24gr ✖ Twitter: twitter.com/basket24gr Greece 92-80 Netherlands (Acropolis Tournament 27/08/15)2015-08-29T16:16:25.000Z. [46], In Game 1 of the Bucks' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics, Antetokounmpo recorded 35 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists in a 113–107 overtime loss. ", "Mears: How the Milwaukee Bucks Built the NBA's Best Defense | The Action Network", "Few Teams Have Ever Defended Like These Milwaukee Bucks", "Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo Named 2019-20 NBA Defensive Player of the Year", "Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo finishes 2019-20 season with highest PER in NBA history", "Έλληνες πολίτες οι αδερφοί Αντετοκούμπο", "Giannis Antetokounmpo received today his Greek citizenship. [114], Thanasis made his NBA debut with the New York Knicks after being drafted by the organization with the 51st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. Giannis Antetokounmpo College: Where Did Bucks Star Play Before NBA? Powered by. Alex Antetokounmpo, the youngest brother of NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, plans to skip college and play professionally in Europe to prepare for the NBA. [19], Antetekounmpo's second season with the Bucks saw both individual and team development. [66], During the season postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted from early March to the end of July, Antetokounmpo claimed to not have a basketball hoop to practice with. [89], Antetokounmpo is also recognized as an elite defensive player, capable of guarding all five positions but more often deployed in a "free safety" role that allows him to roam the paint and discourage attacks on the rim. Giannis Antetokounmpo loves playing Indiana. Greece's roster consisted of many experienced players, most of them previously crowned European champions with their clubs, like Vassilis Spanoulis, Ioannis Bourousis and Nikos Zisis, and Greece was a favorite for a medal, after showing great form in friendly games. [38], On April 15, 2017, Antetokounmpo scored a playoff career-high 28 points in a 97–83 win over the third seed Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series. The latest stats, facts, news and notes on Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee [42] On January 6, 2018, he recorded 34 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in a 110–103 win over the Washington Wizards. Shortly after, the Bucks drafted him. [92][93][96] A 2017 analysis conducted by Stats SportVU at the behest of FiveThirtyEight showed that Antetokounmpo was able to cover just over 15 feet off a single dribble when driving to the basket, 5 feet further than the average player in the league. [8] Charles died in September 2017, at age 54. [121], On March 13, 2020, Antetokounmpo and his family pledged to give $100,000 to the staff of the Fiserv Forum who were unable to work during the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Athanasios "Thanasis" Rotimi Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Scoring 27.7 points a game (on 57.7 percent shooting from inside the arc), he has fueled Milwaukee’s first appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most recognisable basketball players in the world.. Getty [83] However, he missed the actual EuroBasket 2017 tournament, due to a knee injury. [40] The Bucks went on to lose Game 6 three days later despite a 34-point effort from Antetokounmpo, as they bowed out of the playoffs with a 4–2 defeat. Antetokounmpo's jumper has been exploited by other teams. Antetokounmpo's nationality, in addition to his combination of size, speed and ball-handling skills earned him the nickname "Greek Freak". In 2016–17 he led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories and became the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in all five statistics of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Giannis Antetokounmpo Twitter: Giannis_An34 (The Greek Freak, The Alphabet) Position: Power Forward, Small Forward, Shooting Guard, and Point Guard Shoots: Right 6-11, 242lb (211cm, 109kg) . His nickname is the "Greek Freak". clutchpoints.com - Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to another win on Tuesday as they took down the Charlotte Hornets, 114-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and … In Dec. 2012, the Spanish club CAI Zaragoza acquired his playing rights. [118], Antetokounmpo is a Christian and was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church. Rockets - Game Summary - October 24, 2019 - ESPN", "Jazz vs. The last guy to do that with those kinds of numbers was Charles Barkley in 1988. The Bucks ruled out the two … Under new coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks began the season with seven consecutive victories, and went 25–10 before the New Year. As his hard work has paid off, currently he is ranked as 26th in the highest-paid athlete. For more info on the event go to eurobasket2015.org Subscribe to our YouTube channel (youtube.com/user/FIBAworld?sub_confirmation=1), visit the official FIBA website (fiba.com) and follow us on our social media platforms to never miss a beat. [87], Through the year 2019, Antetokounmpo has played with the senior men's Greek national team in 49 games. MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo moved into second place on Milwaukee’s career scoring list and helped the Bucks deliver the short-handed … Giannis Antetokounmpo. [61], Antetokounmpo began the 2019–20 season with a triple-double, recording 30 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in a 117–111 season-opening win over the Houston Rockets on October 24, 2019. [108], Antetokounmpo's father, Charles, was a former Nigerian association football player, while his mother, Veronica, is a former high jumper. Milwaukee, which … [10], Antetokounmpo grew up in the Athens neighborhood of Sepolia. Giannis Antetokounmpo has put together a simply dominant 2019 NBA Playoffs, so far. With Antetokounmpo in this role, the Bucks have flourished defensively, becoming one of the league's best defensive teams, leading the NBA in defensive rating in 2018-19 and 2019–20. [64] The winning streak ended on December 16 with a close loss to the Dallas Mavericks, in spite of Antetokounmpo recording an efficient 48 points and 14 rebounds. Born: December 6, 1994 in Athens, Greece gr Relatives: Brothers Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Kostas Antetokounmpo Along with his MVP award, he was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, becoming only the third player after Michael Jordan (1988) and Hakeem Olajuwon (1994) to win both awards in the same season. Bucks star and girlfriend Mariah Riddlesprigger welcome Liam Charles Antetokounmpo", "Giannis Antetokounmpo, Zion Williamson among stars aiding arena workers", NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant Most Valuable Player Award, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Giannis_Antetokounmpo&oldid=1023261621, Greek expatriate basketball people in the United States, National Basketball Association All-Stars, National Basketball Association players from Greece, Naturalized citizens of the United States, Articles with dead external links from May 2021, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected biographies of living people, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with Greek-language sources (el), Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Finished the 2019–2020 NBA regular season with the highest single-season, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 15 May 2021, at 11:29. After the game, Milwaukee … [92][93][94] As of August 2020, Antetokounmpo's career averages are 20.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. His family didn’t come from great means, but per a 2013 profile on NPR.com, one of his coaches named Spiros Vellianitis set up a situation to help him develop on the basketball court without financial issues. [112], Following their son and brother, the entire Antetokounmpo family, except for Francis and Thanasis, moved from Athens to Milwaukee in early 2014. [3], In 2014, Antetokounmpo played for the senior men's Greek national basketball team for the first time, helping Greece finish ninth overall in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup with a 5–1 record. Giannis screamed in pain on the floor, but remained in the game to shoot his foul shots. Antetokounmpo also shot over 75%. [81] Greece failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics, after being eliminated by Croatia, by a score of 66–61. [35] He also became the first player in NBA history to finish in the top 20 in the league in each of the five major categories in a regular season. He scored in double figures 23 times and grabbed at least 10 rebounds twice, with both efforts resulting in double-doubles.