Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Thanasis Antetokounmpo is a Greek-Nigerian former professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He won an NBA Championship with the Bucks in 2021.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Athanasios Rotimi "Thanasis" Antetokounmpo was born on July 18, 1992, in Athens, Greece to Nigerian parents Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo. He plays right-handed and is a Small Forward.

He officially gained Greek citizenship on May 9, 2013. His parents are from different Nigerian ethnic groups—Charles is Yoruba, and Veronica is Igbo.

Thanasis is the second oldest of five brothers. His younger brother Giannis Antetokounmpo was drafted 15th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2013 NBA draft. His other brothers Kostas Antetokounmpo and Alex Antetokounmpo have also played professional basketball.

Giannis has credited Thanasis for sparking his interest in basketball.

Early Career

Antetokounmpo began playing youth club basketball with the junior teams of Filathlitikos in 2008.

He then played with their senior men's team in the semi-professional Greek fourth division in the 2010–11 season.

Professional Career

In 2011, Antetokounmpo began his professional career with Filathlitikos of the Greek 3rd Division. During the 2012–13 Greek 2nd Division season.

He was selected by the Delaware 87ers in the 2013 NBA Development League Draft.

In 2014, he was selected with the 51st overall pick in the NBA draft by the New York Knicks. He played for their D-League affiliate, the Westchester Knicks, from 2014 to 2016.

Antetokounmpo played briefly for the New York Knicks in 2016 before spending the next three seasons playing in Spain for MoraBanc Andorra. In 2019, he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, joining his brother Giannis.

Thanasis won an NBA championship with the Bucks in 2021. As of 2024, he is still part of the Bucks team.

Career Highlights

• 2021 - NBA champion