Giannis is a Greek name that is typically a shortened form of Ioannis, the Greek equivalent of John. It is a common name in Greece and can be found in various forms, such as Yiannis or Yannis.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced as YAHN-nees AHN-teh-toh-KOOM-poh), better known as “The Greek Freak,” is a professional basketball player who plays for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). This biography of Antetokounmpo, we will take a closer look at the personal life, career, and achievements of one of our time’s most exciting and inspirational athletes.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Early Life As A Child
Giannis Antetokounmpo was born in Athens, Greece, in 1994 to Nigerian immigrant parents, Giannis grew up in poverty and faced numerous challenges as a child. He grew up in a working-class neighbourhood in Sepolia, Athens, with his four brothers and one sister.
As a child, Giannis and his family faced significant financial struggles. They did not have a lot of money, and sometimes they could not afford basic necessities like food or heating for their home. To help his family make ends meet, Giannis and his older brother Thanasis sold items like sunglasses, watches, and handbags on the streets of Athens.
Despite these challenges, Giannis was a talented athlete from a young age. He played soccer and basketball with his brothers and other neighbourhood children, but it wasn’t until a local basketball coach discovered him at age 13 that he began to focus on basketball more seriously. From there, he began playing for youth teams in Athens and quickly gained attention for his athleticism, length, and raw talent on the court.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Move To The United States And NBA Draft
Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family moved to the United States in 2013 when the Milwaukee Bucks drafted him into the NBA. Before the draft, Giannis had been playing professionally in Greece for the club Filathlitikos, but he had always dreamed of playing in the NBA.
Giannis and his family first applied for Nigerian passports in order to be able to travel to the United States. This was because, at the time, they did not have Greek citizenship and did not have the necessary paperwork to obtain American visas. After receiving their Nigerian passports, they were able to apply for U.S. visas and were eventually granted them.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected in the first round, the 15th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA Draft. At the time, he was just 18 years old and was relatively unknown to many basketball fans outside of Greece. However, the Bucks were impressed by his combination of size, athleticism, and potential and took a chance on him.
Giannis’ first season in the NBA was a learning experience as he adjusted to the level of competition and the cultural differences of living in the United States. He also missed his family back in Greece, but he was determined to succeed in the NBA and worked hard to improve his game and English.
However, after several hurdles, he showed flashes of brilliance and potential, and over the next few seasons, he continued to develop his game and improve his skills. Today, the Bucks number #34 is considered one of the best players in the world, has won multiple MVP awards and managed to lead the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years in 2021.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s (aka The Greek Freak) Physical Attributes And Skills
Giannis Antetokounmpo is known for his exceptional physical attributes, which have helped him become one of the most dominant players in the NBA. Here are some of his physical attributes and skills:
⦁ Height and wingspan: Giannis stands at 6’11” (2.11 m) tall and has a wingspan of 7’3″ (2.21 m). This gives him a significant advantage on the court, as he can reach higher and cover more ground than most other players.
⦁ Weight: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s weight varies throughout the season, but he typically weighs between 240 and 260 pounds (109-118 kg). His weight, combined with his height and wingspan, gives him a powerful frame that allows him to dominate on both ends of the court.
⦁ Hand size: In terms of his hand size, Giannis has some of the largest hands in the NBA. His hand length is 14 inches (35.5 cm), and his hand width is 11.3 inches (28.7 cm). His large hands give him an advantage when it comes to ball handling, rebounding, and blocking shots.
⦁ Shoe size: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s shoe size is 16 in the United States, which is equivalent to a size 50 in Europe. His large feet are well-suited to his tall frame and powerful athleticism, and his signature sneakers with Nike are designed to provide him with the support and stability he needs on the court.
⦁ Athleticism: Giannis is incredibly athletic, with a combination of speed, agility, and explosive leaping ability. He can run the floor like a guard and finish above the rim with ease, making him a dangerous scorer and playmaker.
⦁ Jumping ability: nown for his incredible jumping ability. He has a maximum vertical leap of around 12 feet (3.66 m), which allows him to jump higher than most other players in the league. His jumping ability, combined with his size and athleticism, makes him a dominant force when it comes to scoring, rebounding, and blocking shots.
⦁ Speed: Antetokounmpo is a very fast and quick player, especially for his size. His speed and agility allow him to outrun and outmanoeuvre many of his opponents on the court. He has been clocked running the length of the court in just over three seconds, which is incredibly fast for a player of his size.
⦁ Vision: In addition to his speed, Giannis has the excellent court vision and passing ability. He can see the floor well and anticipate where his teammates will be, which allows him to make quick and accurate passes. His passing ability is particularly impressive, given his size and position as a forward, making him a valuable playmaker for his team.
⦁ Versatility: Giannis is a versatile player who can play multiple positions on the court. He has played everything from point guard to centre, and his ability to handle the ball and create for his teammates makes him a valuable asset to any team.
⦁ Defence: Giannis is a tenacious defender who can guard multiple positions. His length and quickness make it difficult for opponents to get past him or shoot over him, and he is known for his ability to block shots and disrupt passing lanes.
⦁ Work ethic: Giannis is known for his incredible work ethic and dedication to improving his game. He spends countless hours in the gym working on his skills and conditioning, and his commitment to his craft has helped him become one of the best players in the world.
Overall, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s combination of speed and vision makes him a dangerous and versatile player on the court. He is able to score, rebound, defend, and create for his teammates, which makes him one of the most well-rounded players in the NBA today.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Overall Stats And Records
Giannis Antetokounmpo has set numerous records throughout his career in the NBA. Here are some of his most notable records and achievements:
- Two-time NBA MVP: Giannis was named the NBA Most Valuable Player in back-to-back seasons in 2019 and 2020, becoming only the third player in NBA history to win the prestigious award in consecutive seasons before the age of 26.
- NBA Finals MVP: Giannis was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in 2021 after leading the Milwaukee Bucks to their first championship in 50 years.
- All-Star: Giannis has been selected to the NBA All-Star team five times in his career, starting in four of those games.
- All-NBA selection: Giannis has been named to the All-NBA First Team twice and the All-NBA Second Team once.
- All-Defensive selection: Giannis has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team twice and the NBA All-Defensive Second Team once.
- 50-point games: Giannis has scored 50 or more points in a game on six occasions in his career, including a career-high 52 points in a game in 2019.
- Triple-doubles: Giannis recorded 28 triple-doubles in his career, including a 40-point, 15-rebound, and 11-assist performance in 2021.
- Olympic gold medalist: Giannis won a gold medal with the Greek national team at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, averaging 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Best Season (2019-2020NBA) Stats
Giannis Antetokounmpo has had several outstanding seasons throughout his career, but his best statistical season to date is arguably the 2019-2020 NBA season, during which he won his second consecutive NBA MVP award. Here are his stats from that season:
⦁ Points per game: 29.5
⦁ Rebounds per game: 13.6
⦁ Assists per game: 5.6
⦁ Blocks per game: 1.0
⦁ Steals per game: 1.0
⦁ Field goal percentage: 55.3
⦁ Three-point percentage: 30.4
⦁ Free throw percentage: 63.3Post ID
⦁ Player Efficiency Rating (PER): 31.9
During the 2019-2020 season, Giannis led the Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the NBA (56-17) and was a dominant force on both ends of the court. He set a number of personal records and helped the Bucks clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the second straight year. Despite falling short of a championship that season, Giannis’ individual performance was one of the best in NBA history.
Overall, Giannis Antetokounmpo has proven himself to be among the top players in the NBA at present, and his extensive collection of accomplishments and accolades is a clear indication of his abilities and dedication.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Love Life And Kids
Giannis Antetokounmpo has been in a long-term relationship with Mariah Riddlesprigger, a former college basketball player who currently works as a social media manager for the Houston Rockets. The couple first met in 2016 while Giannis was playing in a game in the United States, and they have been together ever since.
In February 2020, Giannis and Mariah welcomed their first child, a son named Liam Charles Antetokounmpo. In September 2021, they announced that they were expecting their second child, a baby girl.
Giannis has spoken publicly about the importance of his family and how they motivate him to work hard and succeed on the basketball court. He has also shared many photos and videos of his family on social media, giving fans a glimpse into his personal life off the court.
Net Worth, Living Standards And Residence
As of 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s estimated net worth is around $120 million. This includes his salary as a professional basketball player, endorsement deals, and other business ventures. In 2020, Giannis signed a five-year contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks worth $228 million, which is the largest contract in NBA history. He has also signed endorsement deals with companies such as Nike, JBL, Tissot, and Hulu, among others.
Off the court, Giannis has been involved in various business ventures, including investments in real estate and a partnership with Ready Nutrition to launch his own protein bar. Additionally, he has also been actively involved in charitable work, including the establishment of the Giannis Foundation, which aims to support underserved communities in Milwaukee and Greece.
Overall, Giannis Antetokounmpo has established himself as one of the top players in the NBA and one of the most marketable athletes in the world, which has contributed to his significant net worth.
One may ask, where does Giannis spend his net worth? Luckily, we have got you covered on that, as one interesting fun fact about Giannis is that he doesn’t hold back on his living standards. He purchased a luxurious home in River Hills, a suburb of Milwaukee, in 2018 for $1.8 million. The property features a large indoor basketball court, a gym, a home theatre, and other high-end amenities.
As one of the top players in the NBA and a multi-millionaire, Giannis has a high living standard. He is able to afford luxurious homes, cars, and other material possessions, as well as travel to exotic locations and experience the finer things in life. However, he has also shown a commitment to giving back to his community and supporting those in need, which suggests that he values more than just material wealth.
Conclusion:
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rise from a young basketball player in Greece to an NBA superstar has been nothing short of remarkable. He has overcome significant challenges and obstacles along the way, using his talent, work ethic, and determination to achieve success both on and off the court. In addition to his impressive basketball skills, Giannis is known for his humility, kindness, and commitment to giving back to his community. He has become a beloved figure not only in Milwaukee but around the world, and his legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history is already secured. As he strives to evolve and grow as a player and a person, fans eagerly await what the future holds for this basketball phenom.
References:
1) Olympics, by Tina Voutsela, Giannis Antetokounmpo: The origin story of basketball’s living Greek legend, August 2022
2) Sportskeeda, Giannis Antetokounmpo stats and records
3) Giannis Antetokounmpo, physical attributes and skills, My Basketball Academy
4) People, by Taiwo Balogun, Who Is Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Girlfriend? All About Mariah Riddlesprigger
