Thanasis Antetokounmpo

Athanasios Rotimi “Thanasis” Antetokounmpo is a Greek-Nigerian basketball player known for his accolades in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on July 18, 1992, in Athens, Greece, Thanasis exhibited an inclination towards sports, bolstered by his love for basketball.

Son to Nigerian parents, Charles and Veronica Antetokounmpo, Thanasis was the second of five boys in the family. His brother Giannis Antetokounmpo, also an esteemed basketball player, shares a close bond with him, evident from their professional timelines that often intersect.

With an imposing height of 6 feet-7 inches, Thanasis has been instrumental in small forward and power forward positions. He began his basketball journey with the junior teams of Filathlitikos in 2008 and swiftly earned his spot in the senior men’s team in the Greek fourth division by the 2010–11 season.

Embodying perseverance and perseverance, Thanasis began his professional level career transition in 2011 with Filathlitikos, ascending from the Greek minor leagues to the 3rd Division. Excelling through challenges and tournaments, he made a mark in the 2012–13 Greek 2nd Division season, achieving an average of 12.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. Despite not being selected as an all-star in the 2013 Greek All-Star Game, he was handpicked by the coaches and showcased his skills in the slam dunk contest.

After flirting with the idea of joining the 2013 NBA draft, Thanasis decided to withdraw from the draft on June 17, 2013, with 17 other players. Remaining in Europe, Thanasis played four commendable games for Filathlitikos in the 2013–14 Greek A2 League season and pursued greatness beyond, playing for various NBA and EuroLeague giants throughout his illustrious career.

Thanasis’s ascent in his career trajectory started when he was selected by the Delaware 87ers in the 2013 NBA Development League Draft. This led him to his NBA debut in 2016, where he scored two points in two minutes of action against the Phoenix Suns. A few years later, he eventually signed with MoraBanc Andorra of the Liga ACB.

He moved towards a resounding victory in July 2017 by agreeing to a two-year deal with the EuroLeague giants Panathinaikos, culminating in him being crowned the Greek Basket League’s 2018–19 season champion with Panathinaikos for a second year in a row. This string of successes resulted in him signing with the Milwaukee Bucks, bringing him one step closer to his brother Giannis.

A revelatory moment in his career was when he helped propel the Bucks to the 2021 NBA Finals and clinched the championship. This win was indeed a sweet triumph for Thanasis, notwithstanding his missing Games 5 and 6 owing to the NBA’s COVID-19 protocol. He re-signed with the Bucks on a two-year deal in August 2021.

Apart from his association with the NBA, Thanasis was also recognized by the Greek national team and selected for the 2016 Turin FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. However, he declined the offer to train with the senior men’s Nigerian national team for the 2016 Rio Olympics, opting to perform for Greece’s national team instead. Over the years, he has represented Greece in numerous tournaments, enhancing his credibility and influence in the sporting world.

Off the court, Thanasis holds his roots close to heart. With a Yo̩rùbá father and an Igbo mother, he proudly embraces his Nigerian heritage. With Greek citizenship gained on May 9, 2013, Thanasis represents a melange of cultures and traditions that have shaped his identity. His oldest brother, Francis, is a professional soccer player, while his younger brothers, Kostas and Alex, have both etched their names in the basketball industry. The Antetokounmpo family is thus a power-packed, athletic unit, who collectively transformed their love for sports into successful careers.