Giannis Antetokounmpo's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Giannis Antetokounmpo. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, nicknamed the "Greek Freak," is a Greek and Nigerian professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional size, speed, and strength. He currently plays for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA and is considered one of the greatest players and power forwards in basketball history. His career is marked by exceptional athleticism and skill, establishing him as a dominant force in the sport.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1968: Wilt Chamberlain had 70 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists over any 2-game span

In 1968, Wilt Chamberlain had 70 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists over any 2-game span. This record would later be broken by Giannis Antetokounmpo.

1971: Bucks First NBA Championship Since 1971

In 2021, Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971.

1988: Michael Jordan won both awards

In 1988, Michael Jordan won both the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year Awards, achieving the same milestone that Giannis would accomplish years later.

1994: Hakeem Olajuwon won both awards

In 1994, Hakeem Olajuwon won both the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year Awards, achieving the same milestone that Giannis would accomplish years later.

2000: Shaquille O'Neal tallied 60-plus points without a made three-point basket

In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal achieved a game with 60-plus points without making a three-point basket, a feat that Antetokounmpo would later match.

2001: Dirk Nowitzki EuroBasket high score

In 2001, Dirk Nowitzki achieved the most points scored in a EuroBasket game, prior to Giannis Antetokounmpo breaking that record in 2022.

January 2004: Michael Redd Won the Eastern Conference Player of the Month

On April 3, 2017, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for games played in March, marking the first for a Buck since Michael Redd won the award in January 2004.

2013: Greek League All-Star Game

In 2013, Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected by the coaches as a special participant in the 2013 Greek League All-Star Game.

February 6, 2015: Career-High Points and Rebounds

On February 6, 2015, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a then career-high 27 points and 15 rebounds in a game against the Houston Rockets.

February 22, 2016: First Career Triple-Double

On February 22, 2016, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded his first career triple-double with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win against the Los Angeles Lakers.

2016: Led Bucks in Five Major Statistical Categories

In the 2016-17 season, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks in all five major statistical categories.

April 3, 2017: Eastern Conference Player of the Month

On April 3, 2017, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for games played in March, marking his first such award and the first for a Buck since January 2004.

April 15, 2017: Playoff Career-High Points

On April 15, 2017, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a then playoff career-high 28 points in a win over the Toronto Raptors in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

2017: Excellent Season

Antetokounmpo began the 2017–18 season on a tear, scoring 175 points over the first five games of the season. In 2017, he averaged almost 27 points during the season, earning his second straight All-Star nomination and All-NBA selection, and broke Kareem Abdul Jabbar's franchise record for triple-doubles.

2017: NBA Most Improved Player Award

In 2017, Giannis Antetokounmpo received the NBA Most Improved Player award.

2018: Bucks Achieved Period of Sustained Team Success

Starting from the 2018–19 season, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks achieved a period of sustained team success. In 2018, Under new coach Mike Budenholzer, the Bucks began the season with seven consecutive victories and went 25–10 before the New Year.

October 24, 2019: Triple-Double in Season Opener

On October 24, 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo started the 2019-20 season with a triple-double, recording 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 117–111 win over the Houston Rockets.

2019: NBA All-Star Selection

In 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo received an NBA All-Star selection and was selected as an All-Star captain, leading the Eastern Conference in voting.

2019: NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award

In 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

January 23, 2020: All-Star Game Captain

On January 23, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo was named an All-Star Game captain for the second consecutive year, alongside LeBron James.

September 18, 2020: Second Consecutive MVP Award

On September 18, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo secured 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.

2020: NBA Defensive Player of the Year

In 2020, Antetokounmpo won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award for his exceptional defensive skills and contributions to the Milwaukee Bucks, solidifying his reputation as an elite defender.

2020: NBA All-Star Captain Selection

In 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain for the NBA All-Star game, leading the Eastern Conference in voting.

2020: NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Defensive Player of the Year Awards

In 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

October 19, 2021: Championship Ring and Season-Opening Win

On October 19, 2021, after receiving his first NBA championship ring, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in a 127–104 season-opening win over the Nets.

2021: NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA championship since 1971 and was named Finals MVP.

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 all those stats in less than thirty minutes.

February 8, 2022: 44 points against the 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.

January 3, 2023: Career-High 55 Points

On January 3, 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a then career-high 55 points, alongside 10 rebounds and seven assists in a 123–113 win over the Washington Wizards.

2023: NBA All-Star Captain Selection

In 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo received an NBA All-Star selection and was selected as an All-Star captain, leading the Eastern Conference in voting.

January 24, 2024: Recorded 42nd career triple-double

On January 24, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo achieved his 42nd career triple-double, scoring 35 points, grabbing 18 rebounds, dishing out 10 assists, and recording 2 blocks in a 126–116 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

July 10, 2024: Designated as Greek flag bearer

On July 10, 2024, the Hellenic Olympic Committee designated Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Greek flag bearer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, along with race walker Antigoni Drisbioti.

November 13, 2024: Recorded 59 points in win over Detroit Pistons

On November 13, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 59 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out seven assists in a 127–120 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons.

2024: NBA Cup MVP

In 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to win the 2nd edition of the NBA Cup, where he was named NBA Cup MVP.

2024: NBA All-Star Captain Selection

In 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain for the NBA All-Star game, leading the Eastern Conference in voting.

January 2, 2025: Longest streak in NBA history

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, marking his 26th consecutive game with at least 20 points scored on 50% or better shooting from the field, the longest streak in NBA history.

2025: Captained Greece at EuroBasket

In 2025, Giannis Antetokounmpo captained Greece at EuroBasket and led them to a bronze medal, the first medal for the country since 2009. He was named to the All-Star Five of the tournament.