Discover the career path of Giannis Antetokounmpo, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, nicknamed the "Greek Freak," is a Greek and Nigerian professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional size, speed, and strength. He plays for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. Widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards and players in NBA history, his accomplishments and unique skillset have solidified his place among the sport's elite.
2000: First player since Shaquille O'Neal to tally 60-plus points without a made three-point basket
On December 13, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high and Bucks record 64 points. He became the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 2000 to tally 60-plus points without a made three-point basket.
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2001: Most points scored in a EuroBasket game since Dirk Nowitzki in 2001
On September 6, 2022, Antetokounmpo scored 41 points in a 99–79 group stage win over Ukraine. This was the twelfth-highest points tally of all time, and the most points scored in a EuroBasket game since Dirk Nowitzki in 2001.
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2011: Started Playing for Filathlitikos Senior Team
In 2011, Antetokounmpo began playing basketball for the senior team of Filathlitikos in Athens, marking an early step in his professional career.
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2011: Played for Filathlitikos Senior Men's Team
In 2011, Antetokounmpo played with the senior men's team of Filathlitikos in the Greek B Basket League.
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December 2012: Signed Deal with CAI Zaragoza
In December 2012, a few days after turning 18, Antetokounmpo signed a four-year deal with Spanish club CAI Zaragoza.
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2012: Played in the Greek A2 League
In 2012, Antetokounmpo played in the Greek A2 League during the 2012-13 season.
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April 28, 2013: Declared Eligible for NBA Draft
On April 28, 2013, Antetokounmpo officially made himself eligible for the 2013 NBA draft, setting the stage for his move to the NBA.
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July 30, 2013: Signed Rookie Contract with Milwaukee Bucks
On July 30, 2013, Antetokounmpo signed his rookie scale contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, officially joining the NBA.
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October 13, 2013: Made NBA Debut
On October 13, 2013, Antetokounmpo made his NBA debut at the age of 18 years, 311 days, becoming one of the youngest NBA players ever.
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2013: Selected in the NBA Draft
In 2013, Antetokounmpo was selected 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA draft, beginning his NBA career.
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2013: Special Participant in Greek League All-Star Game
In 2013, Antetokounmpo was selected as a special participant in the Greek League All-Star Game, marking his growing recognition.
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2014: Thanasis NBA Debut
In 2014, Thanasis Antetokounmpo made his NBA debut with the New York Knicks after being drafted by the organization.
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February 6, 2015: Career High 27 Points and 15 Rebounds
On February 6, 2015, Antetokounmpo recorded a then career-high 27 points and 15 rebounds in a loss to the Houston Rockets.
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2015: Continued Individual Development
In 2015, Antetokounmpo continued to develop individually, upping his scoring average to almost 17 points per game during the 2015-16 season.
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February 22, 2016: First Career Triple-Double
On February 22, 2016, Antetokounmpo recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers, becoming the youngest Buck to achieve this feat.
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September 19, 2016: Agreed to $100 Million Contract Extension
On September 19, 2016, Antetokounmpo agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, securing his future with the team.
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2016: Established himself as one of the league's most devastating slashers and transition scorers
By the 2016–17 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo had established himself as one of the league's most devastating slashers and transition scorers, known for his rare combination of size and speed.
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2016: Led Bucks in All Major Statistical Categories
In 2016, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in all five major statistical categories, showcasing his versatility and impact on the game.
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April 15, 2017: Playoff Career High
On April 15, 2017, Antetokounmpo scored a then playoff career-high 28 points in a 97–83 win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.
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2017: Established himself as one of the league's most devastating slashers and transition scorers
By the 2016–17 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo had established himself as one of the league's most devastating slashers and transition scorers, known for his rare combination of size and speed.
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2017: Continued Strong Performance
In 2017, Antetokounmpo continued his strong performance, scoring 175 points over the first five games of the 2017-18 season and earning his second straight All-Star nomination.
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2018: Averaged nearly 6 assists per game
During both the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons, Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged nearly 6 assists per game.
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2018: Kostas Antetokounmpo NBA Draft
In 2018, Kostas Antetokounmpo was selected with the last pick in the NBA draft after playing college basketball for Dayton.
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2018: Bucks became one of the league's best defensive teams
In 2018, with Antetokounmpo, the Bucks flourished into one of the league's best defensive teams.
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2018: Bucks Began Season Strong
Starting in 2018, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks began a period of sustained success, starting the season with seven consecutive victories.
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July 16, 2019: Thanasis Antetokounmpo signed with the Milwaukee Bucks
On July 16, 2019, Thanasis Antetokounmpo signed with the Milwaukee Bucks.
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October 24, 2019: Triple-Double in Season Opener
On October 24, 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo began the 2019–20 season with a triple-double, recording 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 117–111 season-opening win over the Houston Rockets.
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2019: Responsible for 57.8% of the points the Bucks scored while he was on the floor
During the 2019–20 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo was responsible (through assisting and personally scoring) for 57.8% of the points the Bucks scored while he was on the floor, one of the highest rates in the league.
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2019: Selected as an All-Star Captain
In 2019, Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain for the first time, highlighting his growing popularity and status in the league.
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2019: Jump-shooting output increased averaging a career-high 4.4 three-point goals attempted and 1.4 made per game
In 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo increased his jump-shooting output, averaging a career-high 4.4 three-point goals attempted and 1.4 made per game in 2019–20.
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2019: Bucks became one of the league's best defensive teams
In 2019, with Antetokounmpo, the Bucks flourished into one of the league's best defensive teams.
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March 13, 2020: Antetokounmpo Family 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 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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September 18, 2020: Second Consecutive MVP Award
On September 18, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan as the only players to win MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in the same season.
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December 15, 2020: Bucks Re-Signing
On December 15, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo re-signed with the Bucks, coming to terms on a 5-year, $228 million extension, the largest in league history.
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2020: All-Star Captain Selection
In 2020, Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain, showcasing his continued leadership and prominence in the NBA.
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August 20, 2021: Antetokounmpo becomes a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers
On August 20, 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo became a minority owner of the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.
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October 19, 2021: Championship Ring and Season-Opening Win
On October 19, 2021, after receiving his first NBA championship ring in the annual pre-game ceremony, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in a 127–104 season-opening win over the Nets.
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2021: Kostas signs with ASVEL Basket
In 2021, Kostas Antetokounmpo signed with ASVEL Basket, part of the French Betclic Élite and the EuroLeague.
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January 13, 2022: Triple-Double Against Warriors
On January 13, 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a 118–99 win over the Golden State Warriors with 30 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, and 3 blocks, leading both teams in such stats, in less than thirty minutes, and became the first player to record multiple 30-point triple-doubles in 30 minutes; he tied Jordan's career mark of 28 triple-doubles, ranking 18th all-time.
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February 8, 2022: 44 Points Against Lakers
On February 8, 2022, in a 131–116 win against the Lakers, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 44 points with 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks, and 0 turnovers on 17-of-20 shooting from the field; it was his 20 straight game recording at least 25 points.
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August 2022: Worked with Calamos Advisors on an exchange-traded fund
In August 2022, Calamos Advisors announced that they would work with Giannis Antetokounmpo on an exchange-traded fund that invests in sustainable firms that would be called the Calamos Antetokounmpo Sustainable Equities Fund.
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August 25, 2022: Scored a national team career-high 40 points
On August 25, 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a national team career-high 40 points, along with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, in a 94–100 overtime loss to Serbia in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.
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September 2022: Joined as an executive producer for National Geographic's documentary The Flagmakers
In September 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo joined as an executive producer for National Geographic's documentary The Flagmakers, which focuses on the large population of immigrant employees working at an American flag factory.
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2022: Franchise Career Free Throws Leader
In the second game of the 2022–23 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo became the Bucks' franchise career free throws leader, surpassing Sidney Moncrief.
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January 3, 2023: Career-High 55 Points
On January 3, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a then career-high 55 points, alongside 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 123–113 win over the Washington Wizards.
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March 2023: Antetokounmpo Brothers Become Minority Owners of Nashville SC
In March 2023, Giannis, along with his brothers, Alex, Thanasis, and Kostas, became minority owners in the Major League Soccer club Nashville SC.
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June 2023: Giannis and Brothers invest in Candy Funhouse
In June 2023, Giannis and his brothers Thanasis, Kostas and Alex expanded their investment portfolio, overseen by Ante Inc., by becoming shareholders and owners of the Canadian online confectionary retailer, Candy Funhouse.
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September 2023: Executive Producer of Reality TV Show
In September 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo 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.
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October 23, 2023: Signed three-year, $186 million extension with the Bucks
On October 23, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo signed a three-year, $186 million contract extension with the Milwaukee Bucks, solidifying his commitment to the team.
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2023: Named an All-Star Captain
In 2023, Antetokounmpo was named an All-Star captain, underscoring his influence and recognition as a top player in the league.
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January 24, 2024: Recorded his 42nd career triple-double
On January 24, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo achieved his 42nd career triple-double with 35 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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November 13, 2024: Recorded 59 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in a 127–120 overtime win
On November 13, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 59 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in a 127–120 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons.
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2024: Led Bucks to win NBA Cup and Named NBA Cup MVP
In 2024, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to win the 2nd edition of the NBA Cup, and he was named NBA Cup MVP.
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2024: Named an All-Star Captain
In 2024, Antetokounmpo was named an All-Star captain, further cementing his status as a leading figure in the NBA.
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January 2, 2025: Longest streak in NBA history with at least 20 points scored on 50% or better shooting from the field
On January 2, 2025, Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 27 points on 12-of-24 shooting from the field, 13 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in a 113–110 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. It was his 26th straight game with at least 20 points scored on 50% or better shooting from the field, the longest streak in NBA history.
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