Alex Antetokounmpo

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Alex Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge
No. 29 – Mažeikiai
PositionSmall forward
LeagueLKL
Personal information
Born (2001-08-27) 27 August 2001 (age 22)
Athens, Greece
NationalityGreek / Nigerian
Listed height203 cm (6 ft 8 in)
Listed weight97 kg (214 lb)
Career information
High schoolDominican
(Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin)
NBA draft2021: undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021UCAM Murcia
2020–2021→UCAM Murcia B
2021–2022Raptors 905
2022–2024Wisconsin Herd
2024–presentMažeikiai

Alexandros Emeka Antetokounmpo (/ˌɑːntɛtəˈkuːmpoʊ/ AHN-tet-ə-KOOM-poh; Greek: Αλέξανδρος Εμέκα "Άλεξ" Αντετοκούνμπο, IPA: [aˈleksanðros ˈaleks a(n)detoˈkumbo]; born Adetokunbo 27 August 2001) is a Greek-Nigerian professional basketball player for Mažeikiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League (LKL). He is the youngest brother of basketball players Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas.

Early life[edit]

Antetokounmpo was born in Sepolia, a neighbourhood in Athens, Greece. He is the son of Nigerian parents, Veronica and Charles Antetokounmpo. He has a Nigerian passport, which was granted to him in June 2013, so that he could gain a visa, and be allowed to legally enter into the United States.[1] He received the Greek citizenship in September 2021, alongside his mother.[2] He started playing basketball at age nine,[3] and in sixth grade, moved with his family to Cudahy, Wisconsin, near where his older brother Giannis was practicing for his rookie season for the Milwaukee Bucks of the (NBA) National Basketball Association. Before high school he moved to River Hills, Wisconsin. He attended St. Monica School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.[4]

High school career[edit]

Antetokounmpo played basketball for Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay for four years. As a freshman, he averaged 2.9 points per game, and grew about 12 cm (five inches) to 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) by the time he was a sophomore.[4] Antetokounmpo was a two-time all-state selection and averaged 20 points and seven rebounds per game as a senior. He received scholarship offers from DePaul, Ohio and Green Bay.[5] On 9 May 2020, Antetokounmpo announced that he would play in Europe after graduating from high school, rather than playing college basketball. He was considered a three-star recruit by major recruiting services.[6]

Professional career[edit]

UCAM Murcia (2020–2021)[edit]

On 22 June 2020, Antetokounmpo signed a three-year contract with UCAM Murcia of the Liga ACB.[7] On 18 October, he made his debut for the club's reserve team in the Liga EBA, recording 28 points and six rebounds, shooting 6-of-9 from three-point range, in an 83–69 win over SCD Carolinas.[8]

Raptors 905 (2021–2022)[edit]

After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Antetokounmpo joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[9] The Sacramento Kings then proceeded to win the 2021 NBA Summer League. On 14 October 2021, Antetokounmpo was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract by the Toronto Raptors.[10] However, he was waived the following day to join the Raptors 905 as an affiliate player.[11]

Wisconsin Herd (2022–2024)[edit]

On 3 November 2022, Antetokounmpo was named to the opening night roster for the Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League.[12]

On 31 August 2023, Antetokounmpo signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, but was waived the same day[13] and on 30 October, he rejoined Wisconsin.[14][15] On 8 February 2024, he was waived by the Herd.[16]

M Basket-Delamode Mažeikiai (2024–present)[edit]

On 13 February 2024, Antetokounmpo signed with M Basket-Delamode Mažeikiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League.[17]

Personal life[edit]

The Antetokounmpo brothers participating in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge

Three of his older brothers, Giannis, Thanasis and Kostas, play basketball professionally, and all three have won NBA championships. Giannis was named NBA Most Valuable Player in both 2019 and 2020. Thanasis and Giannis both won the NBA championship in 2021 playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, with Giannis being named as Finals MVP. Kostas last played for the Chicago Bulls & won an NBA title with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Antetokounmpo's father and his oldest brother, Francis, played football in Nigeria. His mother was a high jumper.[18] In September 2021, Alex along with his mother were granted honorary Greek citizenship from the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.[19] Alex, along with hockey player Filip Forsberg and three of his older brothers, Giannis, Thanasis and Kostas, were announced as joining the Nashville SC ownership group in the MLS.[20]

References[edit]

  1. ^ gazzetta.gr Η χαλασμένη LLP καφετιέρα (in Greek).
  2. ^ Greek City Times (in English).
  3. ^ Fader, Mirin (18 July 2019). "The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  4. ^ a b Hogg, Curt (26 December 2018). "With help from his brother, Alex Antetokounmpo is taking on a 'killer' mentality and making a name for himself". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Giannis Antetokounmpo's brother Alex to skip college, play in Europe". ESPN. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  6. ^ Schuster, Blake (9 May 2020). "Giannis' Brother Alex Says He Plans to Play in Europe After Graduating HS". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  7. ^ "El UCAM Murcia ficha a Alex Antetokounmpo" (in Spanish). UCAM Murcia CB. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  8. ^ "El primer show del hermano de Antetokounmpo con el UCAM Murcia: 28 puntos y victoria". Gigantes del Basket (in Spanish). 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Alex Antetokounmpo to join the Kings in Summer League". Eurohoops.net. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Raptors: Alex Antetokounmpo, Josh Hall to sign Exhibit 10 contracts". Raptors Rapture. 14 October 2021. Archived from the original on 14 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Toronto Raptors waive Alex Antetokounmpo and Josh Hall, both to join Raptors 905". NBA. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Wisconsin Herd Announces 2022-23 Opening Day Roster". OurSportsCentral.com. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  13. ^ Adams, Luke (2 September 2023). "Bucks Sign Drew Timme; Sign, Waive Alex Antetokounmpo". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  14. ^ "WISCONSIN HERD ANNOUNCE 2023 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER". NBA.com. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  15. ^ Owczarski, Jim (30 October 2023). "Drew Timme, Alex Antetokounmpo, Glenn Robinson III headline the Wisconsin Herd camp roster". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  16. ^ "2023-2024 Wisconsin Herd Transaction History". RealGM.com. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  17. ^ "A. Antetokounmpo iš NBA G lygos keliasi į Mažeikius". MBasket.lt (in Lithuanian). 13 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  18. ^ "NBA Rookie Wants To Bring Hope To Greece, And To Milwaukee". NPR.com. 26 September 2013. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  19. ^ Newsroom. "Giannis Antetokounmpo's mother and brother granted honorary Greek citizenship | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  20. ^ Major League Soccer [@MLS] (2 March 2023). "Filip Forsberg 🏒 Giannis 🏀 Thanasis 🏀 Kostas 🏀 Alex 🏀 All joining the @NashvilleSC ownership group. Welcome to MLS! https://t.co/FI1tnWb36Y" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023 – via Twitter.
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