Alex Antetokounmpo

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Alex Antetokounmpo
Alex Antetokounmpo (cropped).jpg
Antetokounmpo in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge
No. 29 – Raptors 905
PositionSmall forward
LeagueNBA G League
Personal information
Born (2001-08-27) 27 August 2001 (age 20)
Athens, Greece
NationalityGreek
Listed height6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Listed weight214 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High schoolDominican
(Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin)
NBA draft2021 / Undrafted
Playing career2020–present
Career history
2020–2021UCAM Murcia
2020–2021→UCAM Murcia B
2021–presentRaptors 905

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 professional basketball player for Raptors 905 of the NBA G League. He is the youngest brother of National Basketball Association (NBA) players Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas.

Early life[]

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 honorary 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 Milwaukee, where his older brother Giannis was playing his rookie season for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. He attended St. Monica School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin and initially did not speak English.[4]

High school career[]

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[]

UCAM Murcia (2020–2021)[]

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–present)[]

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]

Personal life[]

Three of his older brothers, Giannis, Thanasis and Kostas, play basketball professionally, and all three have won NBA championships. Giannis and Thanasis play for the Milwaukee Bucks, and Giannis was named NBA Most Valuable Player in both 2019 and 2020. Additionally, Thanasis and Giannis both won the NBA championship in 2021, with Giannis being named as Finals MVP. Kostas plays for the LDLC ASVEL & 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.[12] In September 2021, Alex along with his mother were granted honorary Greek citizenship from the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.[13]

References[]

  1. ^ gazzetta.gr Η χαλασμένη 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 2021-10-14. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  11. ^ "Toronto Raptors waive Alex Antetokounmpo and Josh Hall, both to join Raptors 905". NBA. Archived from the original on 2021-10-17. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ Newsroom. "Giannis Antetokounmpo's mother and brother granted honorary Greek citizenship | eKathimerini.com". www.ekathimerini.com. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
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