Antetokounmpo, Giannis << AHN day tuh KUHM poh, yah NIHS >> (1994-…), is an outstanding forward for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Antetokounmpo stands 6 feet 11 inches (211 centimeters) tall. He has become known for exceptional agility for a player of his size. Antetokounmpo was born in Greece. He gained the nicknames “Greek Freak,” in reference to his unusual size and skill, and “The Alphabet,” for his difficult-to-spell last name.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was born in Athens , Greece, on Dec. 6, 1994. His parents had immigrated to Greece from Nigeria three years earlier. The family’s name was originally Adetokunbo, but Greek authorities spelled the name Antetokounmpo on Giannis’s passport. He was interested in soccer as a child, but he began playing basketball in 2007, at the age of 13. Antetokounmpo played for the Filathlitikos youth basketball team, based in the Athens suburb of Zografou. In the 2011-2012 season, he joined the Filathlitikos men’s squad, where he drew the attention of NBA scouts. In 2013, the Bucks took Antetokounmpo as the 15th pick in the NBA draft.
Antetokounmpo improved his scoring and rebounding averages during each of his first seven NBA seasons. He won the Most Improved Player award following the 2016-2017 season. Also that season, he was named to his first of multiple NBA All-Star teams. Antetokounmpo has won praise for his skill in driving to the basket and for his ability to defend opposing guards, forwards, and centers. He was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for his play during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. In both seasons, he led the Bucks to the NBA’s best record and led his team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. He also won the Defensive Player of the Year award following the 2019-2020 season. In the 2020-2021 season, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to the league championship and was named MVP of the NBA finals.
