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Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Nigerian-Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born and raised in Athens to Nigerian parents, Antetokounmpo began playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. In 2011, he started playing for the club's senior team before entering the 2013 NBA draft, where he was selected 15th overall by the Bucks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo |
| Born | 6 December 1994 |
| Parents | Charles (Nigerian football player) and Veronica (former high jumper) |
| Siblings | Francis (Greek name Andreas), Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex |
| Religion | Christian (Greek Orthodox) |
| Started Playing Basketball | For the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens |
| NBA Debut | 2013, selected 15th overall by the Bucks |
| Current Team | Milwaukee Bucks |
| Nickname | Greek Freak |
| Notable Achievements | - NBA's MVP in 2019 and 2020 - Led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories in 2016-17 - First player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in all five statistics: total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks |
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What You'll Learn
Youth career with Filathlitikos
Born and raised in Athens, Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo, or Adetokunbo, began his basketball journey with the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. At 13, he and his brothers—Thanasis, Kostas, and Alex—caught the eye of a local coach and started playing basketball. Three years later, in 2010, Giannis joined Filathlitikos, a Greek professional basketball team.
Giannis quickly rose through the ranks at Filathlitikos, leading the youth team and soon graduating to the senior team. In one of his final games with the junior team, he scored an impressive 50 points, attracting the attention of several senior clubs. The Filathlitikos officials circulated the tape, and interest in Giannis soared, including from the NBA. Boston Celtics' president and former star, Danny Ainge, flew to Greece to watch Giannis play.
Giannis's talent and potential were evident, and he was soon playing with the senior men's team of Filathlitikos in the semi-pro Greek B Basket League (Third Division) during the 2011-2012 season. In December 2012, shortly after turning 18, Giannis signed a four-year deal with Spanish club CAI Zaragoza, which included NBA buyouts after each season. However, his contract with Zaragoza was short-lived, as the Milwaukee Bucks selected him as the 15th overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft.
Giannis's time with Filathlitikos was instrumental in his development as a basketball player, providing him with the opportunity to hone his skills and gain the attention of international scouts. His performance in the youth teams and his impressive showing in the senior league paved the way for his successful career in the NBA.
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NBA debut with Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nigerian-Greek basketball player, was born on December 6, 1994. He started playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens, where he was born and raised. In 2011, he began playing for the senior team before entering the 2013 NBA draft, where he was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo made his NBA debut with the Milwaukee Bucks after being selected by them in the 2013 NBA draft. In the 2016-17 season, 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: total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. Antetokounmpo is known for his size and speed, earning him the nickname "Greek Freak".
Antetokounmpo has had a successful career with the Bucks, helping them set the best record in the NBA for two consecutive years, finishing with a 56-17 record. He was named the NBA's MVP in 2019 and 2020, and led the Bucks to an NBA Championship in 2021. On April 3, 2025, he became the first player in NBA history to record at least 35 points, 20 assists, and 15 rebounds in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Antetokounmpo's success on the court has not come without its challenges. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he claimed to not have access to a basketball hoop to practice, later clarifying that he did have access but wanted to "get a little bit ahead of the competition." In August 2012, he was suspended for one game without pay for headbutting Moritz Wagner during a game against the Washington Wizards. Despite these setbacks, Antetokounmpo remains a key player for the Bucks and a well-known name in the NBA.
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2020 NBA MVP
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nigerian-Greek professional basketball player, is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time. Born and raised in Athens to a Nigerian father and a Nigerian mother, Giannis began playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. In 2011, he started playing for the club's senior team before entering the 2013 NBA draft, where he was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis wears the number 34 in honour of his parents, who were born in 1963 and 1964, respectively. He is also called "The Alphabet" because of the 12 unique letters, and 20 overall, in his name. In 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award for the second time in two seasons. He was also named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for 2020, joining Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to win both awards in the same season.
Giannis averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting 55.3% from the floor in 63 games for the Bucks in the 2019-20 season. He received 88 first-place votes, with LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers receiving the remaining 16 first-place votes. Giannis's win placed him alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, LeBron James, and others as multi-time recipients of the award.
Giannis's younger brother, Kostas, was selected with the last pick in the 2018 NBA draft. He went on to win the 2020 NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
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2021 NBA Championship
Giannis Antetokounmpo, a Nigerian-Greek basketball player, was born on December 6, 1994, and started playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens. In 2011, he began playing for the senior team before entering the 2013 NBA draft, where he was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks.
In 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks won their first NBA championship since 1971. The 2021 NBA Finals was a best-of-seven series between the Bucks and the Phoenix Suns, with the former winning the series in six games. The Bucks' victory was largely due to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored a playoff career-high 50 points, along with 14 rebounds and five blocks. Antetokounmpo's performance earned him the title of Finals MVP, making him the youngest winner at 26 years old since Kawhi Leonard in 2014.
The 2021 NBA Finals was a highly anticipated event, marking the first time since 2010 that neither LeBron James nor Stephen Curry was among the competing players. Additionally, it was the first Finals since 1977 to feature fewer than two players who had previously appeared in the championship series. The Suns' Jae Crowder was the only player in the series with prior Finals experience, having played in the 2020 NBA Finals with the Miami Heat.
The Bucks' road to the Finals was challenging, as they faced strong opponents such as the Boston Celtics and the Brooklyn Nets. Meanwhile, the Suns advanced to the Finals by defeating the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the Denver Nuggets, and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns were led by Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton, who posed a formidable challenge to the Bucks.
The 2021 NBA Finals featured several memorable moments, including Giannis Antetokounmpo's game-saving block in Game 4, which is considered one of the greatest in NBA history. In that game, Khris Middleton scored 40 points, while Antetokounmpo contributed 26 points, 14 rebounds, and eight assists. The series culminated in a thrilling Game 6, where Antetokounmpo's historic 50-point performance, along with Khris Middleton's clutch buckets, sealed the championship for the Bucks.
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2023-24 triple-double record
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Nigerian-Greek professional basketball player, began his basketball journey in Athens, playing for the youth teams of Filathlitikos. In 2013, he was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft.
Now, moving on to the 2023-24 triple-double record, here's what I found:
As of 2025, Russell Westbrook holds the record for the most career triple-doubles in the NBA. He surpassed Oscar Robertson's long-standing mark of 181 in 2021. Westbrook also holds the record for most triple-doubles in a single season, with 42 in 2016-17.
Luka Dončić, of the Dallas Mavericks, holds the record for the longest continuous streak of 30-point triple-doubles. His streak began on February 28, 2024, and ended on March 9, 2024, lasting six games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo himself has recorded several triple-doubles throughout his career. He achieved this feat with players like Nikola Jokić, Ben Simmons, and Russell Westbrook between 2016 and 2020.
While specific details of the 2023-24 season's triple-double records are not readily available, it's safe to say that the aforementioned players, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, were likely among the top performers in that category.
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Frequently asked questions
Giannis Antetokounmpo started playing basketball for the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected 15th overall by the Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is known for his size, speed, and strength, earning him the nickname "Greek Freak".
