Growing up in Greece, the Bucks All-Star faced discrimination because of his heritage. [102] He then registered back-to-back games with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds in a Game 2 loss and a Game 3 victory,[103][104] joining Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 as the only players to reach those numbers in consecutive Finals games. Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images "I don't like being . Giannis Antetokounmpo. Nowadays, he loves speaking English in his post games interview through his own comedy content. [15], During the 201213 Greek A2 League season, Antetokounmpo shot 46.4% from the field (62.1% on two-point field goals), 31.3% from three-point range, and 72.0% from the free throw line, while averaging 22.5 minutes per game. [77] On November 25, Antetokounmpo scored a season-high 50 points, along with 14 rebounds, in a 122118 win over the Utah Jazz. And now hes a millionaire. He became the first player in franchise history with multiple career playoff triple-doubles[127][128] On May 13, Antetokounmpo posted 44 points, 20 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 10895 Game 6 loss. Attempts to do so, however, may be premature. [133][134] On May 24, Antetokounmpo was selected to his fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team and sixth consecutive overall. 2021 NBA Champion and Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was born in Athens Greece of Nigerian immigrants. I felt like I'll say the wrong thing, I'll say something stupid, so I just chose not to talk at all," Antetokounmpo recalled Monday. [126] On 1 May, in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Antetokounmpo recorded his second career playoff triple-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 10189 win over the Boston Celtics. [86] Antetokounmpo finished the season with an all-time record for single-season NBA Player Efficiency Rating (PER) with 31.9, as per Basketball Reference, having surpassed the previous record held by Wilt Chamberlain of 31.82. [2][3][4][5][6]. [54] 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. [100], Antetokounmpo returned in time for the finals against the resurgent Phoenix Suns. Upon moving to the US, Alex did not speak any English at all, but he has since mastered the language. Find out how many languages Giannis speak, how he learned them and other insights about the Greek Freak as he is affectionately called by many fans. I realized I would rather say something stupid than not say nothing at all." [121] On March 29, Antetokounmpo scored 40 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, delivered six assists, and had a game-deciding block on Joel Embiid in the final seconds to lead the Bucks to a 118116 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He attended elementary school and a Greek Orthodox church in Athens with his brothers. He helped Greece to an 82 record and a fifth place overall finish, while averaging 8.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across the 10 games. [14][15][16] His father had been a soccer player in Nigeria, while his mother was a high jumper. 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. Highest scoring close-out Finals game in NBA history (50 points): Milwaukee Bucks. davenport, fl crime rate P.O. Most famously, the Toronto Raptors built a 'wall' of lengthy, adept defenders to neutralise Antetokounmpo's paint dominance in their 2019 Conference Finals victory. In December 2020, Antetokounmpo signed a five-year, $228 million supermax extension with the Bucks, with an opt-out after the fourth year. [205] Their youngest brother, Alex, played high school basketball in the US before becoming a professional basketball player. Antetokounmpo speaks two languages, English and Greek, while understanding a bit of the Nigerian languages. Related ===> How many Languages does Luka Doncic speak? He became the first player in club history to earn six All-NBA team honors, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Sidney Moncrief for the most in franchise history. [193], Antetokounmpo's father, Charles, was a Nigerian football player, while his mother, Veronica, is a former high jumper. [72][73] The Bucks went on to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, where they were defeated 42 by the eventual champions, the Toronto Raptors, despite winning the first two games. [66][67][68] On March 17, Antetokounmpo scored a then career-high 52 points to go with 16 rebounds in a 130125 loss to the 76ers. LIVE ", "Hawks vs. Both of my parents are black. Giannis (comes from Ioannis which means John in Greek) annual salary is north of $45 million. Born: December 6, 1994 in Athens, Greece gr Antetokounmpo was named the . In 201617 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. [20] In 2007, Adetokunbo started playing basketball. [149], 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. [212] In March 2023, Giannis, along with his brothers, Alex, Thanasis, and Kostas, became minority owners in the Major League Soccer club Nashville SC. [105] The Bucks continued their comeback after having lost the first two games of the series, prevailing in the next four contests. Its not like Im fluent, Antetokounmpo noted to The Undefeated. [34], On April 28, 2013, Antetokounmpo officially made himself eligible for the 2013 NBA draft. Giannis Antetokounmpo. Imagine moving to a foreign country, alone, 18 years old, not knowing anybody, barely able to speak the language, with the hopes and financial well being of your entire family back home at stake. [78] After a December 14 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers, Antetokounmpo had led the Bucks to their 18th straight victory, 2 shy of the franchise record. [39] Three days later, he was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for games played February 28, earning Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. Ever heard of the Ball brothers Highroller Nation Gear! Born and raised in Athens to Nigerian parents, Antetokounmpo began playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. [87][88] During the playoffs, the Bucks advanced to the second round but lost 41 to the Miami Heat. [152], Antetokounmpo also played with Greece at the 2016 Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he averaged 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game in 3 games played. [96] MRI results would later show that he did not suffer any ligament tears. Sports 1 Answer In those games, he scored a total of 870 points, for a scoring average of 14.8 points per game. As things stand . Giannis is not married as of 2022 but has a girlfriend named Mariah Riddlesprigger with who he has two sons. His big hands Antetokounmpo's hands are huge, 12 inches to be precise. But when he was home with his family, he learned and lived the Nigerian way. "Early in my career I was really quiet and with the language barrier it was harder for me. [192], In September 2022, Antetokounmpo joined as an executive producer for National Geographic's documentary The Flagmakers, which focuses on the large population of immigrant employees working at an American flag factory. I can count. The award was the first of Antetokounmpo's career and the first for a Buck since Michael Redd won the award in January 2004. Are you a fan of basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo? Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo [a] (born Adetokunbo; [b] December 6, 1994) is a Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). . Its straight-up Nigerian culture. Hold a Master Degree in Electrical engineering from Texas A&M University. Only player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 10.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks in multiple seasons. Box 4666, Ventura, CA 93007 Request a Quote: taurus 1911 45 acp extended magazine CSDA Santa Barbara County Chapter's General Contractor of the Year 2014! [58] The Bucks went on to lose Game 6 three days later despite a 34-point effort from Antetokounmpo, ending their season.[59]. Antetokounmpo, a two-time NBA Most . [104] He also joined Jordan, O'Neal, and James as the only players to put up at least 40 points in back-to-back Finals games in the previous 50 years. [97] Antetokounmpo was ruled out for both Games 5 and 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals as a result of the knee injury. (75) Sale Price $13.60. [44][45], On September 19, 2016, Antetokounmpo agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Bucks. [76] Giannis Antetokounmpo has publicly spoken about his Nigerian roots (Instagram/Giannis Antetokounmpo) The rapid ascension of Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has almost felt like destiny. [209] Antetokounmpo and his family also donated 20,000 masks to people in Athens and Zografou in Greece in 2020. Fourth NBA player since the NBA-ABA merger to post 30 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists in a game: Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek Freak emphasized the number of dialects spoken in Nigeria. [197] Antetokounmpo is a Christian and was raised in the Greek Orthodox Church. [155] However, he missed the actual EuroBasket 2017 tournament, due to a knee injury. His career stats are continuing to grow each year since his rookie season in 2013-2014 with Milwaukee Bucs. Milwaukee won the game, but Antetokounmpo was also out for Game 5, when the Bucks were eliminated. On August 12, Antetokounmpo was suspended for one game without pay for headbutting Moritz Wagner during a game against the Washington Wizards. He has endorsements with Nike and Whtsapp. there's going to be a day that, I'm going to say I'm the best player in the world. He tied John Havlicek and Draymond Green for 15th place on the NBAs all-time triple-double list. "I grew up in a Nigerian home," Antetokounmpo said. The 26-year-old Greek forward has sparked the Bucks to a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven NBA Finals with game six on Tuesday at Milwaukee. ESPN's Ryan Ruocco spoke to Giannis and got lessons from people who speak his language, Yoruba. Why does it take being a basketball talent?. In Game 6, Antetokounmpo recorded 50 points, 14 rebounds and 5 blocks as the Bucks clinched their first championship in 50 years. Greek-Nigerian basketball player (born 1994), Back-to-back MVP and DPOY award (20182020), NBA championship and Finals MVP (20202021), Breaking franchise records and coming up short (20212022), 2016 Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, List of National Basketball Association franchise career scoring leaders, List of National Basketball Association single-game playoff scoring leaders, List of oldest and youngest National Basketball Association players, List of National Basketball Association career triple-double leaders, List of European basketball players in the United States, "Giannis Antetokounmpo explains how to pronounce his last name | ESPN", "20 greatest power forwards ever: The HoopsHype list", "The Best Power Forwards In NBA History: All-Time Rankings", "Ranking 50 Greatest European Players in NBA History", "40 greatest European players ever: The HoopsHype list", "Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo finishes breakout season in league of his own", "NBA 75: At No. Me and Thanasis just went back to the room excited. "Its hard enough to transition to the NBA when you do know the language." Giannis Antetokounmpo A post shared by Giannis Antetokounmpo (@giannis_an34) on Aug 5, 2014 at 1:07pm PDT Things werent always easy for Giannis and his family. One of the most decorated players in NBA history,[8] Antetokounmpo won consecutive 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. [35] He fulfilled his draft projections as a first-round pick by being selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. 24, Giannis Antetokounmpo has become one of the game's most decorated players in less than a decade The Athletic", "Giannis Antetokounmpo wins 2021 NBA Finals MVP", "Giannis Antetokounmpo: NBA star's rise from 'hustling' on Athens streets to MVP award", "Adetokoubo's whirlwind saga just starting", "Greek-Nigerian prodigy makes NBA dream come true", "NBA Rookie Wants To Bring Hope To Greece, And To Milwaukee", "Giannis Antetokounmpo Wanted to Wear Sweats to the NBA Draft", "A Hunger for a Better Life May Lead to the N.B.A. Rockets - Game Summary - October 24, 2019 - ESPN", "Jazz vs. Giannis is an inspiring man who speak at least four languages: English, Greek, Igbo and Yoruba. [148] On February 16, Antetokounmpo surpassed Paul Pressey for the most assists in Bucks franchise history. He realized he did not have enough money to take a cab for the game that day, so he had to run to the arena. [141] The next game, Antetokounmpo had 43 points along with 20 rebounds and 5 assists in a 123114 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Visit Short Haircuts for Girls/Kids Here we share the hairstyles of Giannis. Giannis is the third born of his family so by the time he was a toddler, he has two older brothers teaching him Greek, Yoruba and Igbo languages which were spoken in the Antetokounmpo household. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As an immigrant and someone that clearly takes care of his body, Antetokounmpo hasn't been exposed to a lot of the legacy American cuisine, such as Fruit Roll-Ups.

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