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 Nigerian-Greek professional basketball player renowned for his exceptional athleticism and versatility. Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA, he is considered one of the greatest power forwards and players in basketball history. His unique combination of size, speed, and strength has made him a dominant force on the court. He is a significant figure in modern basketball.

Sections (4)

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

1971: Bucks' First NBA Championship Since 1971

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

1972: Since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972

In January 2023, Giannis Antetokounmpo became the first player to total 200+ points, 80+ rebounds, and 30+ assists over a 5-game span since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1972.

1976: NBA–ABA Merger

Since the NBA–ABA Merger in the 1976–77 season, Charles Barkley and Antetokounmpo are the only players to do this multiple times.

1988: Michael Jordan Won Both Awards

In 1988, Michael Jordan won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the same season.

1994: Hakeem Olajuwon Won Both Awards

In 1994, Hakeem Olajuwon won both the NBA Most Valuable Player Award and the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award in the same season.

2000: Joins Shaquille O'Neal in Finals Record

In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal reached the numbers to back-to-back games with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds.

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

In 2000, Shaquille O'Neal was the last player before Antetokounmpo to score 60-plus points without making a three-point basket.

2001: Dirk Nowitzki tallies high points in a EuroBasket game

In 2001, Dirk Nowitzki was the last player before Antetokounmpo to tally such high points in a EuroBasket game.

January 2004: Previous Bucks Player of the Month

In January 2004, Michael Redd was the last Milwaukee Bucks player to win the Eastern Conference Player of the Month award before Antetokounmpo in April 2017.

2011: First European Since Dirk Nowitzki as Finals MVP

In 2011, Dirk Nowitzki was the first European player to be named Finals MVP.

2014: Youngest Finals MVP Since Kawhi Leonard

In 2014, Kawhi Leonard was the youngest player to be named Finals MVP.

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.

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 at 21 years old.

2016: Led Bucks in Five Major Statistical Categories

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

April 3, 2017: Eastern Conference Player of the Month

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

April 15, 2017: Playoff Career-High 28 Points

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.

2017: Most Improved Player Award

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

2017: Began Season with High Scoring Games

In the 2017–18 season, Antetokounmpo began strongly, scoring 175 points over the first five games. He earned his second straight All-Star nomination and All-NBA selection.

2018: Bucks Began a Period of Sustained Team Success

Starting from the 2018–19 season, Antetokounmpo and the Bucks achieved a period of sustained team success.

2019: First All-Star Captain Selection

In 2019, Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain, leading the Eastern Conference in voting.

2019: NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 2019, Antetokounmpo won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

January 23, 2020: All-Star Game Captain

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

September 18, 2020: Second Consecutive MVP Award

On September 18, 2020, Giannis Antetokounmpo secured his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award, making him one of the few players to win both MVP and NBA Defensive Player of the Year in the same season, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan.

2020: Won the 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

For his defensive efforts, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the 2020 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and he has become a perennial NBA All-Defensive honoree.

2020: Second All-Star Captain Selection

In 2020, Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain for the second time, again leading the Eastern Conference in voting.

2020: Second Consecutive NBA MVP and Defensive Player of the Year

In 2020, Antetokounmpo won his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player Award and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

2020: Kostas Wins NBA Championship

In 2020, Giannis' younger brother, Kostas, won the NBA Championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.

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

On October 19, 2021, Giannis Antetokounmpo received his first NBA championship ring in a pre-game ceremony and then recorded 32 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists in a 127–104 season-opening victory over the Nets.

2021: NBA Championship and Finals MVP

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

January 13, 2022: Multiple 30-Point Triple-Doubles

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 in less than thirty minutes. He became the first player to record multiple 30-point triple-doubles in 30 minutes and tied Michael Jordan's career mark of 28 triple-doubles.

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.

2022: Franchise Career Free Throws Leader

In 2022, Giannis Antetokounmpo became the franchise career free throws leader. On October 22, in the second game of the 2022–23 season, Antetokounmpo recorded 44 points and 12 rebounds.

January 3, 2023: Career-High 55 Points

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

2023: Third All-Star Captain Selection

In 2023, Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain for the third time, leading the Eastern Conference in voting.

January 24, 2024: Recorded his 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.

July 10, 2024: Named Flag Bearer for Paris 2024 Olympic Games

On July 10, 2024, the Greek Olympic Committee designated Giannis Antetokounmpo and race walker Antigoni Drisbioti as the flag bearers for Greece at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

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

On November 13, 2024, Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded 59 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in a 127–120 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons.

2024: NBA Cup Win

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

2024: Fourth All-Star Captain Selection

In 2024, Antetokounmpo was selected as an All-Star captain for the fourth time, 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. 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.