An overview of the childhood and early education of Giannis Antetokounmpo, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
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.
1963: Parents were born
Giannis wears the number 34 in honor of his parents, who were born in 1963 and 1964.
Share
1964: Parents were born
Giannis wears the number 34 in honor of his parents, who were born in 1963 and 1964.
Share
December 6, 1994: Giannis Antetokounmpo Born in Athens
On December 6, 1994, Giannis Sina Ugo Adetokunbo was born in Athens, Greece, to Nigerian immigrant parents.
Share
December 6, 1994: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Birth
On December 6, 1994, Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo (né Adetokunbo) was born. He is a Greek and Nigerian professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the NBA.
Share
2007: Started Playing Basketball
In 2007, Antetokounmpo started playing basketball, marking the beginning of his journey in the sport.
Share
October 28, 2012: Baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church
On October 28, 2012, Giannis Antetokounmpo was baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church along with his brother Alex.
Share
May 9, 2013: Issued Greek Citizenship
On May 9, 2013, Antetokounmpo was issued Greek citizenship, resolving his stateless status and allowing him to travel internationally.
Share
July 2013: Represented Greece at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship
In July 2013, Giannis Antetokounmpo represented Greece for the first time with the Greek Under-20 national team at the 2013 FIBA Europe Under-20 Championship, contributing to an 8–2 record and a fifth-place finish.
Share
2014: Played with the senior men's Greek national team
From 2014 to 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo played with the senior men's Greek national team in 37 official games, in major FIBA tournaments.
Share
2014: Played for the senior men's Greek national basketball team
In 2014, Giannis Antetokounmpo played for the senior men's Greek national basketball team for the first time, helping Greece finish ninth overall in the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup with a 5–1 record.
Share
2014: Antetokounmpo family moved from Athens to Milwaukee
In early 2014, the entire Antetokounmpo family, except for Francis and Thanasis, moved from Athens to Milwaukee.
Share
2015: Received Nigerian Citizenship
In 2015, Antetokounmpo received his Nigerian passport, obtaining dual citizenship and embracing both his Greek and Nigerian identities.
Share
2015: Played for the Greek national team at EuroBasket 2015
In 2015, Giannis Antetokounmpo played for the Greek national team at EuroBasket 2015. He finished the tournament with three double-doubles, and a career-high 17 rebounds against Spain, leading his team in rebounds for the tournament. Greece finished fifth with a 7–1 record.
Share
July 2016: Began mandatory military service in Greece
In July 2016, Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo began their mandatory military service in Greece, serving a reduced three-month term.
Share
2016: Played with Greece at the 2016 Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament
In 2016, Giannis Antetokounmpo played with Greece at the Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament, averaging 15.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks per game in 3 games played. Greece failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Share
September 2017: Father, Charles, died at age 54
In September 2017, Giannis Antetokounmpo's father, Charles, a former Nigerian football player, passed away at the age of 54.
Share
2019: Represented Greece at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup
In 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo represented Greece at the FIBA Basketball World Cup, where he became the first reigning NBA MVP to play in a World Cup. Greece finished 11th.
Share
February 2020: Birth of Liam Antetokounmpo
In February 2020, Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to her and Giannis Antetokounmpo's first son, Liam.
Share
August 2021: Birth of Maverick Antetokounmpo
In August 2021, Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to her and Giannis Antetokounmpo's second son, Maverick.
Share
August 2022: Rejoined the Greek national team
In August 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo rejoined the Greek national team.
Share
2022: Rise film released
In 2022, the film "Rise", based on the life of Antetokounmpo and his family, was released, sharing their inspiring story.
Share
September 2023: Birth of Eva Antetokounmpo
In September 2023, Mariah Riddlesprigger gave birth to her and Giannis Antetokounmpo's daughter, Eva.
Share
2023: Played in the 2023 World Cup qualifiers
On August 25, 2022, 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.
Share
July 10, 2024: Designated Flag Bearer for Paris Olympics
On July 10, 2024, the Greek Olympic Committee designated Giannis Antetokounmpo as the flag bearer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, along with Antigoni Drisbioti.
Share
September 1, 2024: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Marriage
On September 1, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Mariah Riddlesprigger got married in a private ceremony at the Costa Navarino resort near Pylos, with Khris Middleton serving as the best man.
Share
2024: Carried the Greek flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympics
At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Giannis Antetokounmpo carried the Greek flag at the Opening Ceremonies. He subsequently represented Greece in group stage against Canada, Spain and Australia, eventually finishing third with a 1–2 record. He averaged a tournament high 25.8 points along with 6.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists in 4 games played, while shooting 67.8% from the field.
Share
2024: Played with the senior men's Greek national team
From 2014 to 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo played with the senior men's Greek national team in 37 official games, in major FIBA tournaments.
Share