Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant and versatile players in the NBA today. He has won two MVP awards, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.
He is also the first player in NBA history to be named to the All-NBA First Team, the All-Defensive First Team, and the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in the same season.
But how did he become such a superstar? What challenges did he face along the way? And what makes him so special? In this blog post, we will explore the life and career of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Greek Freak.
Early Life and Struggles
Giannis Antetokounmpo was born on December 6, 1994, in Athens, Greece. His parents, Charles and Veronica, had immigrated from Nigeria in 1991, leaving behind their eldest son, Francis, with his grandparents. Giannis has three younger brothers: Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex. Growing up in the poor neighborhood of Sepolia, Giannis and his family faced many hardships.
They did not have Greek citizenship, despite being born in the country, and they often struggled to find food, clothing, and shelter. Giannis and his brothers would help their parents by selling watches, bags, and sunglasses on the streets. They also faced racism and discrimination from some Greeks who did not accept them as part of their society.
Basketball was a way for Giannis and his brothers to escape their harsh reality and have fun. They started playing for the youth teams of Filathlitikos, a local club, when they were around 10 years old.
Giannis was not very interested in basketball at first, preferring soccer instead. But he soon realized that he had a natural talent and a passion for the game. He also grew rapidly, reaching 6 feet 9 inches by the time he was 18.
He became the star of his team, impressing scouts and coaches with his athleticism, skills, and work ethic. He led Filathlitikos to the second division of the Greek league and attracted the attention of bigger clubs in Europe. He signed a four-year deal with CAI Zaragoza, a Spanish team, in 2012, but he never played for them, as he entered the 2013 NBA draft instead.
NBA Career and Achievements
Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft. He was the youngest player in the draft, and he had little experience playing against high-level competition.
He also faced a language barrier, as he did not speak English fluently. However, he was determined to prove himself and make his family proud. He worked hard to improve his game, learn from his coaches and teammates, and adapt to a new culture and lifestyle. He also received his Greek citizenship in 2013, and his Nigerian citizenship in 2015, giving him a dual identity.
Giannis Antetokounmpo made his NBA debut on October 30, 2013, against the New York Knicks. He scored 10 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots in 25 minutes of action. He showed flashes of his potential throughout his rookie season, averaging 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and participated in the Rising Stars Challenge during the All-Star weekend. He also represented Greece in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo improved his numbers in his second season, averaging 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game. He also recorded his first career triple-double, with 18 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists, against the Los Angeles Lakers on February 22, 2015.
He helped the Bucks reach the playoffs for the first time since 2013, where they lost to the Chicago Bulls in six games. He also played for Greece in the 2015 FIBA EuroBasket, where he averaged 9.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo had a breakout season in 2016-17, when he became the primary ball-handler and playmaker for the Bucks. He led the team in all five major statistical categories: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. He became the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in all five statistics.
He averaged 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. He was named to his first All-Star game, where he scored 30 points, the most by any international player in All-Star history. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
He won the NBA Most Improved Player award, becoming the first Greek player to win an individual NBA award. He led the Bucks to the playoffs again, where they lost to the Toronto Raptors in six games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo continued his ascent in the following seasons, becoming one of the best players in the league. He improved his scoring, rebounding, and passing, while also developing a more reliable jump shot and a more aggressive mentality.
He earned four more All-Star selections, including being voted as an All-Star captain in 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2024. He also made four more All-NBA First Team appearances and three more NBA All-Defensive First Team appearances.
He won back-to-back NBA Most Valuable Player awards in 2019 and 2020, joining Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James as the only players to win two MVPs before turning 26.
He also won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2020, becoming only the third player after Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon to win both MVP and DPOY in the same season. He led the Bucks to the best record in the league in 2019 and 2020, but they fell short of reaching the NBA Finals, losing to the Raptors in 2019 and to the Miami Heat in 2020.
Giannis Antetokounmpo reached the pinnacle of his career in 2021, when he led the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971. He averaged 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 5 assists per game in the NBA Finals against the Phoenix Suns, including a historic 50-point performance in Game 6.
He became the first player in NBA history to average at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists on 60% shooting in a Finals series. He also became the first player since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 to score 40 or more points and grab 10 or more rebounds in three games in a Finals series.
He was unanimously named the NBA Finals MVP, becoming the fifth international player to win the award. He also became the seventh player to win MVP, DPOY, and Finals MVP in his career, joining Jordan, Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and James.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has not slowed down in the 2023-24 season, as he is averaging 28.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, while shooting a career-high 57.8% from the field and 36.4% from the three-point line.
He was named to his eighth All-Star game, where he scored 35 points on a perfect 16-of-16 shooting, breaking the record for most field goals made without a miss in an All-Star game.
He was also named the All-Star Game MVP, becoming the first international player to win the award twice. He was also named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, honoring the 75 greatest players in NBA history, as one of the 11 active players on the list. He is leading the Bucks to the second-best record in the Eastern Conference, as they aim to defend their title.
Personal Life and Legacy
Giannis Antetokounmpo is not only a basketball superstar, but also a loving son, brother, father, and partner. He is very close to his family, especially his mother, Veronica, who he calls his hero. He also has a strong bond with his brothers, who are also basketball players.
Thanasis is his teammate on the Bucks, Kostas plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, and Alex plays for UCAM Murcia in Spain. Giannis also has a son, Liam Charles, who was born in 2020, and a daughter, Zoe, who was born in 2021, with his longtime girlfriend, Mariah Riddlesprigger.
He is very protective of his privacy and does not share much about his personal life on social media. He is also very humble and grateful for his success, and does not take anything for granted.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is also a philanthropist and a role model for many people around the world. He has donated money and equipment to various causes, such as supporting children in need, fighting racism and discrimination, and helping victims of natural disasters. He has also partnered with several organizations, such as UNICEF,
What Are Some Of Giannis Antetokounmpo Hobbies?
Some of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s hobbies are playing guitar, dancing, playing Lego games, and reading books. He has shared some of his hobbies on social media and in interviews. He also enjoys spending time with his family and his teammates. He is a very fun-loving and humble person who likes to try new things and have fun.
What Is Giannis Antetokounmpo's Favorite Food?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s favorite food is Greek food. He loves traditional Greek dishes like moussaka and souvlaki, as well as classic street food like gyros and bougatsa. He also enjoys trying out new foods, like Greek-inspired fusion dishes like spanakopita lasagna and Greek-style tacos.
He also likes to indulge in some cheat-day faves, like pepperoni pizza, chicken wings, and Skittles . He is a big fan of Oreos, and he likes to dunk them in milk or mix them with Sprite and lemonade. He has a hearty appetite and a diverse palate, and he likes to explore the flavors of his homeland and his adopted city.
What Is Giannis Antetokounmpo's Favorite Movie?
According to a recent interview, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s favorite movie is ‘Coming to America’ starring Eddie Murphy. He said he likes the movie because it is funny and relatable, and he also enjoys watching other comedies and action movies.
He also starred in his own movie, ‘Rise’, which is a biographical sports drama about his family’s life and journey to the NBA. He said it was an emotional experience watching the movie and he hopes it inspires others to have hope and work hard for their dreams.
Has Giannis Antetokounmpo Won Any Awards?
Yes, Giannis Antetokounmpo has won many awards in his basketball career. some of his awards include:
2× NBA Most Valuable Player (2019, 2020)
NBA Finals MVP (2021)
NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2020)
8× NBA All-Star (2017–2024)
NBA All-Star Game MVP (2021)
5× All-NBA First Team (2019–2023)
4× NBA All-Defensive First Team (2019–2022)
NBA Most Improved Player (2017)
NBA 75th Anniversary Team
He is also the first player in NBA history to win MVP, DPOY, and Finals MVP in his career He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time
What Is Giannis Antetokounmpo's Net Worth?
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s net worth as of 2024 is estimated between $70 million and $130 million. He is one of the highest-paid players in the NBA, with an annual salary of $45 million and a five-year contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks worth $228 million.
He also earns from endorsements and other sources, such as his signature shoe line with Nike, his movie deal with Disney, and his partnerships with Amazon, Google, Meta, and others. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time and a philanthropist who supports various causes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Houses
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a basketball superstar who lives in luxury. He owns multiple houses in different locations, such as:
A $1.8 million mansion in River Hills, Wisconsin, which has five bedrooms, seven and a half bathrooms, a pool, a wine cellar, a home theater, and a home gym.
A house in Palaio Psychiko, a suburb of Athens, Greece, where he was born and raised. The house is estimated to have cost $11 million and has 1,600 square feet of land and 6,000 square feet of apartments for his family.
Investments at the Costa Navarino Greece Residences, a luxury resort and residential complex in the Peloponnese region of Greece.
Giannis Antetokounmpo's Cars?
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a basketball superstar owns several luxury cars, such as:
A Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which is a high-end SUV that costs around $330,000. It has a 6.75L V12 engine with 563 horsepower and a 627 lb-ft torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.
A BMW i8, which is a hybrid sports car that costs around $150,000. It has a 1.5L turbocharged inline 3 engine and an electric motor that combine to produce 369 horsepower and a 420 lb-ft torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.
A BMW X6, which is a midsize SUV that costs around $65,000. It has a 3.0L turbocharged inline 6 engine with 335 horsepower and a 330 lb-ft torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 mph.
A Mercedes G63 AMG, which is a rugged SUV that costs around $160,000. It has a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 577 horsepower and a 627 lb-ft torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 137 mph.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has a total car collection worth around $705,000. He is a fan of SUVs, as they are practical for his family and his height. He also has one sports car, the BMW i8, which is one of the best in the market.
He is a wise spender who does not splurge on cars too much, unlike some other NBA players. He is also a philanthropist who supports various causes, such as children in need, fighting racism, and helping victims of natural disasters. He is an inspiration to many people who dream of a better future.
Controversy And Activism Of Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is not only a basketball superstar, but also a social activist who speaks out against racism, injustice, and oppression. He has faced many challenges and hardships in his life, as he was born to Nigerian immigrants in Greece and did not have Greek citizenship until 2013.
He also experienced poverty, discrimination, and violence growing up in Athens. He has used his platform and influence to raise awareness and support various causes, such as Black Lives Matter, UNICEF, and the victims of the wildfires in Greece.
He has also inspired many people around the world with his story of overcoming adversity and achieving greatness.
Some of the controversies and activism of Giannis Antetokounmpo are:
In 2021, he spoke about his fear for his son growing up in America as a Black man, after witnessing the Capitol mob violence and the decision not to charge the officer who shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
In 2020, he and his teammates boycotted a playoff game against the Orlando Magic to protest the shooting of Blake, which sparked a league-wide strike and a call for social change.
In 2019, he sued a Greek website for using a racist slur to describe him and his brother Thanasis, who also plays in the NBA.
In 2018, he participated in a march against racism and fascism in Athens, organized by the Greek basketball federation, after a far-right politician insulted him and his family.
In 2017, he won the NBA Most Improved Player award and dedicated it to his father, who had died of a heart attack a few months earlier. He also thanked Greece for giving him and his family a chance to make their dreams come true.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a role model for many people who face similar struggles and challenges in their lives. He is a champion, activist, and one of the greatest players of his generation.
Conclusion
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a remarkable person who has overcome many obstacles and achieved many successes in his life. He is a basketball legend, a social activist, a family man, and a global icon. He is an inspiration to millions of people who dream of a better future. He is the Greek Freak, and he is not done yet. He is still hungry for more glory, more joy, and more love. He is Giannis Antetokounmpo, and he is unstoppable.
