History of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Timeline
Giannis Antetokounmpo, nicknamed the "Greek Freak", is a Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional size, speed, and strength. He plays for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Widely considered one of the greatest players and power forwards ever, his dominance has solidified his place as a basketball icon.
4 hours ago : Giannis Antetokounmpo Trade Rumors: Staying in the East? Milwaukee Bucks' Plan Unveiled
Speculation surrounds Giannis Antetokounmpo's future, with reports suggesting he prefers staying in the Eastern Conference. The Milwaukee Bucks seem to be proceeding as planned despite trade rumors. His plans could impact the Bucks' future.
1963: Birth year of Giannis's father
In 1963, Giannis Antetokounmpo's father, Charles, was born.
1964: Birth year of Giannis's mother
In 1964, Giannis Antetokounmpo's mother, Veronica, was born.
1972: Most Points, Rebounds, and Assists Over Five Games
In 1972, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar totaled at least 200 points, 80 rebounds, and 30 assists over a five-game span. Giannis Antetokounmpo has since also achieved this feat.
1976: Only Players with Multiple Games of 40 Points, 20 Rebounds, 5 Assists, and 60% Shooting
Since the ABA–NBA merger in 1976, Charles Barkley and Antetokounmpo are the only players to achieve multiple games of at least 40 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 60% shooting.
2000: Joined O'Neal in Finals Feat
In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal achieved a feat of scoring at least 40 points and securing 10 rebounds in consecutive finals games, a milestone Giannis later matched.
2000: Since ABA-NBA Merger Players with 50-Point and 10-Rebound Games
Since the ABA-NBA merger, Michael Jordan and Giannis Antetokounmpo are the only players to have at least eight 50-point and 10-rebound games in their career. Shaquille O'Neal had achieved a similar feat in 2000.
2001: Reference to Dirk Nowitzki's EuroBasket Performance
In September 2022, during EuroBasket 2022, Antetokounmpo scored 41 points in a game against Ukraine, which was the most points scored in a EuroBasket game since Dirk Nowitzki in 2001.
2009: Reference to the Last Medal for Greece Before 2025
At EuroBasket 2025, Antetokounmpo captained Greece again and led them to a bronze medal, the first medal for the country since 2009.
2011: First European Since Nowitzki
In 2011, Dirk Nowitzki was the first European player to be named Finals MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo achieved this later as well.
October 28, 2012: Baptism in Greek Orthodox Church
On October 28, 2012, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother Alex were baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church.
July 2013: Debut with the Greek Under-20 national team
In July 2013, Antetokounmpo represented Greece for the first time with the Greek Under-20 national team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, helping the team to an 8-2 record and a fifth-place overall finish.
2014: Start of Antetokounmpo's Senior National Team Career
From 2014 to 2025, Antetokounmpo played with the senior men's Greek national team in 44 official games in major FIBA tournaments.
2014: Plays for the Senior Men's Greek National Basketball Team
In 2014, Antetokounmpo played for the senior men's Greek national basketball team, helping Greece finish ninth overall in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup with a 5–1 record.
2014: Youngest Finals MVP Since Leonard
In 2014, Kawhi Leonard was the youngest player to be named Finals MVP, a record that Giannis Antetokounmpo broke.
2014: Thanasis drafted by New York Knicks
In 2014, Thanasis Antetokounmpo was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 51st overall pick, marking his NBA debut.
2014: Family moved to Milwaukee
In early 2014, the entire Antetokounmpo family, except for Francis and Thanasis, moved from Athens to Milwaukee.
2015: Played for the Greek National Team at EuroBasket 2015
In 2015, Antetokounmpo joined the Greek national team for EuroBasket 2015. Greece finished fifth in the tournament with a 7–1 record.
July 2016: Military service in Greece
In July 2016, Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo began their mandatory, but reduced, three-month military service in Greece as permanent overseas residents.
2016: Established as a Devastating Slasher and Transition Scorer
By the 2016-17 season, Antetokounmpo had established himself as one of the league's most devastating slashers and transition scorers.
2016: Played in the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
In 2016, Antetokounmpo played with Greece at the 2016 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, where he averaged 15.3 points. Greece failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
2016: Thanasis plays for Andorra
In 2016, Thanasis Antetokounmpo played for Andorra during the 2016–17 season.
September 2017: Death of Charles Antetokounmpo
In September 2017, Giannis Antetokounmpo's father, Charles, passed away at the age of 54. Charles was a Nigerian football player.
2017: Analysis of Driving Ability
A 2017 analysis showed that Antetokounmpo was able to cover slightly more than 15 feet off a single dribble when driving to the basket, 5 feet further than the average player in the league.
2017: Missed EuroBasket 2017 Due to Injury
In 2017, Antetokounmpo played with Greece during their preparation phase for the EuroBasket but missed the actual EuroBasket tournament due to a knee injury.
2018: Kostas drafted in NBA
In 2018, Kostas Antetokounmpo was selected with the last pick in the NBA draft after playing college basketball for Dayton.
2018: Bucks Lead NBA in Defensive Rating
In 2018-19, the Bucks became one of the league's best defensive teams, leading the NBA in defensive rating.
July 16, 2019: Thanasis signs with Milwaukee Bucks
On July 16, 2019, Thanasis Antetokounmpo signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
October 24, 2019: Season-Opening Triple-Double
On October 24, 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo started the 2019-20 season with a triple-double, scoring 30 points, securing 13 rebounds, and providing 11 assists in a 117-111 victory over the Houston Rockets.
2019: Orchestrated the Team's Offense
During the 2019–20 season, Antetokounmpo was responsible for 57.8% of the points the Bucks scored while he was on the floor.
2019: Played in the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Antetokounmpo represented Greece at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, becoming the first reigning NBA MVP to play in a World Cup. Greece finished 11th in the tournament.
2019: Team Giannis All-Star Game Loss
In 2019, Team Giannis lost in the NBA All-Star Game.
2019: Toronto Raptors Build a 'Wall'
In 2019, the Toronto Raptors built a 'wall' of defenders to neutralize Antetokounmpo, leading him to increase his jump-shooting output.
2019: Bucks Lead NBA in Defensive Rating
In 2019-20, the Bucks became one of the league's best defensive teams, leading the NBA in defensive rating.
January 23, 2020: All-Star Game Captain
On January 23, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star Game captain for the second consecutive year, alongside James.
February 2020: Birth of first son
In February 2020, Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to her and Giannis Antetokounmpo's first son.
March 13, 2020: Donation to Fiserv Forum Staff
On March 13, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo and his family pledged to give $100,000 to the staff of the Fiserv Forum who were unable to work during the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
December 15, 2020: Bucks Re-Signing
On December 15, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo committed to the Bucks by re-signing a five-year extension worth $228 million, making it the largest deal in league history.
2020: Won the 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year
In 2020, Antetokounmpo won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for his defensive efforts.
2020: Kostas wins NBA Championship
In 2020, Kostas Antetokounmpo won the NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
2020: Team Giannis All-Star Game Loss
In 2020, Team Giannis lost in the NBA All-Star Game.
June 29, 2021: Knee Injury in Game 4
On June 29, 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo sustained a left knee injury during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Atlanta Hawks due to an awkward landing after a collision with Clint Capela. He exited the game, resulting in a Bucks loss.
August 2021: Birth of second son
In August 2021, Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to her and Giannis Antetokounmpo's second son.
August 20, 2021: Became a Minority Owner of the Milwaukee Brewers
On August 20, 2021, Antetokounmpo became a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.
October 19, 2021: Championship Ring and Season-Opening Win
On October 19, 2021, after receiving his first NBA championship ring, Giannis Antetokounmpo posted 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in a 127-104 victory over the Nets to start the season.
2021: Kostas signs with ASVEL Basket
In 2021, Kostas Antetokounmpo signed with ASVEL Basket, part of the French Betclic Élite and the EuroLeague.
January 13, 2022: Triple-Double vs. Warriors
On January 13, 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo achieved a 30-point triple-double in under thirty minutes during a 118-99 win against the Golden State Warriors, equaling Jordan's career total of 28 triple-doubles.
August 2022: Rejoined the Greek National Team
In August 2022, Antetokounmpo rejoined the Greek national team. He also played in the EuroBasket 2022 tournament.
August 2022: Partnership on Sustainable Equities Fund
In August 2022, Calamos Advisors announced they would work with Antetokounmpo on an exchange-traded fund that invests in sustainable firms, called the Calamos Antetokounmpo Sustainable Equities Fund.
August 25, 2022: Scored a National Team Career-High 40 Points
On August 25, 2022, Antetokounmpo scored a national team career-high 40 points in an overtime loss to Serbia in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.
September 2022: Executive Producer for The Flagmakers Documentary
In September 2022, Antetokounmpo joined as an executive producer for National Geographic's documentary "The Flagmakers", focusing on immigrant employees at an American flag factory.
2022: Franchise Career Free Throws Leader
In 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo became the franchise career free throws leader.
January 3, 2023: Career-High 55 Points
On January 3, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 55 points, along with 10 rebounds and seven assists, leading to a 123-113 win over the Wizards.
March 2023: Became a Minority Owner in Nashville SC
In March 2023, Giannis, along with his brothers, became minority owners in the Major League Soccer club Nashville SC.
June 2023: Shareholders and Owners of Candy Funhouse
In June 2023, Giannis and his brothers became shareholders and owners of the Canadian online confectionary retailer, Candy Funhouse, expanding their investment portfolio.
September 2023: Executive Producer of Reality TV Show
In September 2023, Giannis signed on as an executive producer of a reality TV show created by Candy Funhouse and the producers of Big Brother, Fly on the Wall.
September 2023: Birth of first daughter
In September 2023, Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to her and Giannis Antetokounmpo's first daughter.
October 23, 2023: Contract Extension with the Bucks
On October 23, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo inked a three-year, $186 million extension with the Milwaukee Bucks.
2023: Averaged 6.5 Assists Per Game
Antetokounmpo averaged 6.5 assists per game during both the 2023–24 and 2024-25 seasons.
2023: Participated in the 2023 World Cup Qualifiers
In August 2022, Antetokounmpo participated in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers and scored a national team career-high 40 points in an overtime loss to Serbia on August 25, 2022.
2023: Playoff Elimination
In the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs, Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks faced the Miami Heat. Despite Antetokounmpo's efforts, the Bucks were eliminated in five games.
January 24, 2024: Recorded 42nd Career Triple-Double
On January 24, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his 42nd career triple-double with 35 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists and 2 blocks in a 126–116 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
September 1, 2024: Marriage to Mariah Riddlesprigger
On September 1, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger got married in a private ceremony at the Costa Navarino resort near Pylos. Khris Middleton served as his best man.
2024: Averaged 6.5 Assists Per Game
Antetokounmpo averaged 6.5 assists per game during both the 2023–24 and 2024-25 seasons.
2024: Represented Greece at the 2024 Summer Olympics
In 2024, Antetokounmpo represented Greece at the Summer Olympics and carried the Greek flag at the opening ceremony. He averaged a tournament-high 25.8 points and was named to the tournament's All-Second Team.
January 2, 2025: 26th straight game with 20 points scored on 50% or better shooting
On January 2, 2025, Giannis Antetokounmpo had 27 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets, marking his 26th straight game with at least 20 points scored on 50% or better shooting from the field, the longest streak in NBA history.
January 25, 2025: Named a starter for the All-Star Game
On January 25, 2025, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named a starter for the All-Star Game, marking his ninth consecutive selection, and was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for January, the eleventh monthly award in his career.
May 2025: Birth of second daughter
In May 2025, Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to her and Giannis Antetokounmpo's second daughter.
November 3, 2025: Buzzer-Beater against the Pacers
On November 3, 2025, Antetokounmpo recorded 33 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and hit a buzzer-beater to lift the Bucks over the Pacers 117–115.
2025: End of Documented Period with Greek National Team
From 2014 to 2025, Antetokounmpo played with the senior men's Greek national team in 44 official games in major FIBA tournaments, scoring a total of 902 points.
February 2026: Shareholder in Kalshi
In February 2026, Antetokounmpo became a shareholder in Kalshi, a prediction betting website.
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