Arguably one of the NBA’s brightest young talents, GiannisAntetokounmpo is a uniquely gifted player who has an undeniable desire to be great. The Superstar’s attitude to the game and fighting spirit make him a formidable monster on the field. Although Antetokounmpo was initially considered a bit lightweight for basketball, he honed his confidence as a playmaker and went on to become one of the league’s most popular players.
Also known as a Greek freak, Giannis accomplished amazing feats at a young age. The rising star, who holds the record for being the youngest-ever player in an NBA All-Star game, continues to be popular with fans. He is one of the most popular players in the league and has the potential to become the best NBA player of all time. Get inspiration for success with the history of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Bio (facts)
The Greek Freak was born on Giannis Antetokounmpo6. December 1994 in Athens to Nigerian immigrant parents, Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo. The Bucks star had a difficult childhood as his parents struggled to make ends meet. His family grew up in the humble neighborhood of Sepolia, where he and his brothers lived in constant fear of being deported by the police and could not converse freely with other children.
Although a fan of Greek club Olympiakos, Giannis initially started showing interest and playing football, later at the age of 13 he switched his focus to basketball. Actually, he wasn’t very interested in dribbling with a basketball until a local club coach helped him to discover his hidden passion and toughness for the sport. With great support and mentoring from the Sepolia club trainer and a local neighborhood restaurateur who also tended to his stomach concerns, Giannis was a part of what greatness had to offer.
Antetokounmpo and his family later moved to another neighborhood near Filathlitikos where he practiced for two years. However, his breakthrough came in 2009 when he was elected a member of the Filathlitikos youth team, marking the beginning of his professional career.
Giannis Antetokounmpo played with the Filathlitikos youth team for three years and switched to the senior national team in 2012. Later that same year, after signing a 4-year contract with the franchise, he was ready to join a Spanish club CAI Zaragoza. However, he was never allowed to play for the European team as he was classified as an NBA candidate at the end of that season. In 2013, the Greek Freak was drafted into the NBA by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 15th pick overall.career statistics
In his rookie year of 2015, Giannis was not only one of the top-ranked players of the season, but also made the NBA All-Rookie Second Team and was selected to compete in the NBA Dunk Contest. After exceeding expectations in its first season, the Bucks decided to make Antetokounmpo a long-term project.
Notably, Giannis averaged 26.9 points, 10.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks during the 2016 season. He was also named an All-Star and All-NBA Second Team. That same season, he made history as the first player in the NBA to finish in the top 20 in the league for all five key stats: points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
In addition to setting unprecedented records and numbers with the dollars, Giannis’ outstanding performance with the team has also earned him multiple awards including Player of the Week, Eastern Conference Player, Eastern Player of the Week/Month, NBA Most Improved Player award among other.
Being such a valuable asset and integral part of Gianni has twice renewed his contract with the franchise. The NBA star is currently enjoying a 4-year, $100 million renewal contract, which he signed in September 2016.
An unstoppable force and a versatile player, Giannis Antetokounmpo never rests on his laurels but continues to make the basketball world famous with his robust performances on and off the court.
salary
To keep him in Milwaukee, GiannisAntetokounmpo signed a four-year, $100 million contract in 2016, making him one of the highest-paid NBA players. This means he won’t become an unrestricted free agent until 2021. Although he is currently deemed worthy of the $100m deal, there has been speculation that the low profile star player could soon leave the Bucks to join a star-studded roster. Given his stellar performances in the league, it’s expected that other teams and rival executives could try to recruit Giannis from the Bucks. Until then, he’s still a Bucks player.
girlfriend
Right now, the lady behind Giannis’ smile is Mariah Riddlesprigger. Mariah, like her friend, is an American athlete who played volleyball at Rice University. The couple, who have often been spotted together on multiple occasions, have apparently found love in each other’s arms and their fans can only hope for a happy ending for the couple.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Parents, Brother
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the third of five sons born to Nigerian parents, Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo. His parents immigrated to Greece in 1991 in search of greener pastures. Still, life in Greece was not as smooth for his family as they had hoped, struggling to survive.
He has four brothers – two older Francis and Thanasis and two younger Kostas and Alexis. Gianni’s parents left their eldest son Francis in the care of his grandparents before leaving Nigeria for Greece. The NBA star and his brothers grew up scrawny school kids after the misery and poverty they endured. Before he became Greece’s native NBA All-Star, the scrawny, hungry boy and his brothers lived in constant fear of deportation. Antetokounmpo only received full Greek citizenship in May 2013.
Gianni’s athleticism was inherited from his parents. His father was a professional soccer player and his mother was a high jumper at the time. But the NBA star isn’t the only sibling to have inherited his parents’ athletic genes. Three of his brothers are also professional basketball players while eldest brother Francis played professional soccer in Nigeria. His brother Thanasis played in the NBA with the New York Knicks and currently plays for Spanish club MoraBanc Andorra.
During their difficult years as children, Giannis and his brother Thanasis were looked after by a local club coach, Spiros Velliniatis, and a neighborhood restaurateur, Giannis Tzikas, who supported the hungry youngsters with enough food to allow them to train well. In fact, Antetokounmpo has publicly acknowledged his success and rise to manager Velliniatis.
Height Weight
The athletic and leggy star weighs 100kg and towers at 6ft 11in, a height best suited for a center than a point guard. While still an NBA candidate and playing in Greece’s second division, Antetokounmpo made headlines on the court for his agility and skill. He’s gotten a lot stronger since his rookie year and now has the power to break physical contact to land on the brink.
