June 27, 2013 was a game changing day for the Milwaukee Bucks.
“With the 15th pick in the 2013 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks select Giannis Antetokounmpo, from Athens, Greece," former NBA commissioner David Stern announced.
The Milwaukee Bucks selected Giannis Antetokounmpo with the 15th pick on June 27, 2013, bringing a project-able young talent from Greece over to the United States.
He was drafted as an unknown at 18, but is now one of the best players in the universe.
Interesting facts about Giannis:
He officially gained Greek citizenship on May 9, 2013
He represented Greece for the first time in July 2013 with the Greek under 20 national team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
His combination of size, speed and ball-handling skills led to his nickname the "Greek Freak"
He was the first Greek to win MVP
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 all five statistics of total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks
He’s a three-time All-Star
He’s leading a team with the best record in the NBA
He is an avid fan of the Greek club Olympiakos
He won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award.
He re-signed with the Bucks, coming to terms on a 5-year, $228 million extension, the largest in league history
At the 2021 All-Star Game, he played on the team captained by James and scored 35 points on a perfect 16-of-16 shooting from the field to lead the team to a 170–150 win and capture All-Star MVP honors
