Superstar basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo also known as the “Greek Freak” was born December 6, 1994 in Athens, Greece.
Giannis is a Greek professional athlete who is currently playing in the NBA for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Nicknamed the "Greek Freak" due to his athleticism, he primarily plays forward but is also capable of playing guard with his ball-handling skills. During the 2015–16 season, he became the Bucks' primary playmaker.
In 2016–17, 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 total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
Antetokounmpo grew up in the Athens neighborhood of Sepolia, and while his parents struggled to find work Antetokounmpo and his older brother, Thanasis helped out by hawking items such as watches, bags, and sunglasses. In 2007, Antetokounmpo started playing basketball and by 2009 was playing competitively for the youth squad of Filathlitikos.
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. He helped Greece to an 8–2 record and a fifth place overall finish while averaging 8.0 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across the 10 games. He finished the tournament ranked second in defensive rebounds (7.0) and seventh in blocked shots.
On April 28, 2013, Antetokounmpo officially made himself eligible for the 2013 NBA draft. He fulfilled his draft projections as a first-round pick by being selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks. On July 30, 2013, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Bucks
During the 2015–16 season, he became the Bucks' primary playmaker.
In 2016–17, 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 total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
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. As a result of his efforts, Antetokounmpo was named to the All-NBA Second Team, earning his first All-NBA honor. He was also named the recipient of the NBA Most Improved Player Award for the 2016–17 season, becoming the first player in Bucks history to be named Most Improved Player.
He was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for October and November. It marked the second Player of the Month honor of Antetokounmpo's career (his first came in March during the 2016–17 season) and became the first player in Bucks history to win Player of Month multiple times.
Giannis officially gained Greek citizenship on May 9, 2013.
Antetokounmpo's father, Charles, was a former Nigerian football player, while his mother, Veronica, is a former high jumper. Charles died in September 2017, at age 54.
Veronica gave each of her five sons both Greek and Nigerian names, choosing the Nigerian Ougko for Giannis.
Giannis and his brother Thanasis began their mandatory military service in Greece. The two brothers served a reduced three-month military service, as prescribed for Greek citizens who are permanent overseas residents.
Antetokounmpo is an avid fan of the Greek club Olympiakos.
For world-famous basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo, Greece holds a special place in his heart. Because of his love and passion for the country, the Minister of Tourism, Elena Kountoura, invited Giannis to become an ambassador of Greek tourism and help promote Greece to the world.
Xronia Polla to Giannis who turns 24 today!
