Alex Antetokounmpo
{{short description|Greek basketball player (born 2001)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Alex Antetokounmpo
| image = Alex Antetokounmpo (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Antetokounmpo in the 2022 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge
| position = Power forward / Small forward
| height = 203 cm
| weight = 97 kg
| by league = GBL
| team = PAOK Thessaloniki
| number = 29
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|8|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = Athens, Greece
| nationality = Nigerian / Greek
| high_school = Dominican
(Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin)
| draft_year = 2021
| career_start = 2020
| years1 = 2020–2021
| team1 = Murcia
| years2 = 2020–2021
| team2 = → Murcia B
| years3 = 2021–2022
| team3 = Raptors 905
| team4 = Wisconsin Herd
| years5 = 2024
| team5 = Mažeikiai
| years6 = 2024
| team6 = Podgorica
| years7 = 2024–present
| team7 = PAOK Thessaloniki
| highlights =
}}
Alexandros Emeka "Alex" Antetokounmpo{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ˌ|ɑː|n|t|ɛ|t|ə|'|k|uː|m|p|oʊ}} {{respell|AHN|tet|ə|KOOM|poh}}; {{langx|el|Αλέξανδρος Εμέκα "Άλεξ" Αντετοκούνμπο}}, {{IPA|el|ˈaleks a(n)detoˈkumbo|IPA}}.}} (born Adetokunbo;{{efn|His official surname ({{lang|el|Αντετοκούνμπο}}) is a Greek transcription of his parents' Yoruba language name {{lang|yo|Adétòkunbọ̀}}; in Greek, ‹{{lang|el|ντ}}› is used for {{IPAslink|d}}, ‹{{lang|el|ου}}› for {{IPAslink|u}}, and ‹{{lang|el|μπ}}› for {{IPAslink|b}}. This is usually transliterated letter-for-letter back into the Latin alphabet as Antetokounmpo.}} 27 August 2001) is a Nigerian-Greek professional basketball player for PAOK of the Greek Basketball League (GBL). He is the youngest brother of basketball 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.[http://www.gazzetta.gr/basketball/article/916698/i-halasmeni-kafetiera gazzetta.gr Η χαλασμένη LLP καφετιέρα {{in lang|el}}.] He received the Greek citizenship in September 2021, alongside his mother. [https://greekcitytimes.com/2021/09/17/antetokounmpos-greek-citizenship/amp/ Greek City Times {{in lang|en}}.] He started playing basketball at age nine,{{cite web |last1=Fader |first1=Mirin |title=The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2845193-the-rise-of-the-next-antetokounmpo |publisher=Bleacher Report |accessdate=23 June 2020 |date=18 July 2019}} 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 Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin.{{cite web |last1=Hogg |first1=Curt |title=With help from his brother, Alex Antetokounmpo is taking on a 'killer' mentality and making a name for himself |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/high-schools/2018/12/27/alex-antetokounmpo-younger-brother-giannis-makes-name-himself/2366906002/ |website=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |accessdate=22 June 2020 |date=26 December 2018}}
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 {{height|m=2.03}} by the time he was a sophomore. 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.{{cite news |title=Giannis Antetokounmpo's brother Alex to skip college, play in Europe |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/29157514/giannis-antetokounmpo-brother-alex-skip-college-play-europe |accessdate=22 June 2020 |work=ESPN |date=10 May 2020}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Schuster |first1=Blake |title=Giannis' Brother Alex Says He Plans to Play in Europe After Graduating HS |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2890969-giannis-brother-alex-says-he-plans-to-play-in-europe-after-graduating-hs |publisher=Bleacher Report |accessdate=22 June 2020 |date=9 May 2020}}
Professional career
=UCAM Murcia (2020–2021)=
On 22 June 2020, Antetokounmpo signed a three-year contract with UCAM Murcia of the Liga ACB.{{cite web |title=El UCAM Murcia ficha a Alex Antetokounmpo |url=http://www.ucamdeportes.com/ucamcb/noticias/el-ucam-murcia-ficha-alex-antetokounmpo |publisher=UCAM Murcia CB |accessdate=22 June 2020 |language=Spanish |date=22 June 2020}} 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.{{cite web |title=El primer show del hermano de Antetokounmpo con el UCAM Murcia: 28 puntos y victoria |url=https://www.gigantes.com/basket-feb/eba/el-primer-show-del-hermano-de-antetokounmpo-con-el-ucam-murcia-28-puntos-y-victoria/ |website=Gigantes del Basket |accessdate=18 October 2020 |language=Spanish |date=18 October 2020}}
=Raptors 905 (2021–2022)=
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Antetokounmpo joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/1233771/alex-antetokounmpo-to-join-the-kings-in-summer-league/|title=Alex Antetokounmpo to join the Kings in Summer League|website=Eurohoops.net|date=30 July 2021|access-date=17 August 2021}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Raptors: Alex Antetokounmpo, Josh Hall to sign Exhibit 10 contracts|url=https://raptorsrapture.com/2021/10/14/raptors-alex-antetokounmpo-josh-hall-exhibit-10-contracts/|url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2021|website=Raptors Rapture|date=14 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014161224/https://raptorsrapture.com/2021/10/14/raptors-alex-antetokounmpo-josh-hall-exhibit-10-contracts/ |archive-date=14 October 2021 }} However, he was waived the following day to join the Raptors 905 as an affiliate player.{{Cite web|title=Toronto Raptors waive Alex Antetokounmpo and Josh Hall, both to join Raptors 905|url=https://ca.nba.com/news/toronto-raptors-waive-alex-antetokounmpo-josh-hall-raptors-905/1pdn8r3m3oyn11oaf7ygmfeoe0|url-status=live|access-date=17 October 2021|website=NBA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211017230629/https://ca.nba.com/news/toronto-raptors-waive-alex-antetokounmpo-josh-hall-raptors-905/1pdn8r3m3oyn11oaf7ygmfeoe0 |archive-date=17 October 2021 }}
=Wisconsin Herd (2022–2024)=
On 3 November 2022, Antetokounmpo was named to the opening night roster for the Wisconsin Herd in the NBA G League.{{cite web|title=Wisconsin Herd Announces 2022-23 Opening Day Roster|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/wisconsin-herd-announces-2022-23-opening-day-roster/n-5895537|website=OurSportsCentral.com|date=3 November 2022|access-date=3 November 2022}}
On 31 August 2023, Antetokounmpo signed with the Milwaukee Bucks, but was waived the same day{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Adams|title=Bucks Sign Drew Timme; Sign, Waive Alex Antetokounmpo|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/09/bucks-sign-alex-antetokounmpo-drew-timme.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=2 September 2023|access-date=2 September 2023}} and on 30 October, he rejoined Wisconsin.{{cite web|title=WISCONSIN HERD ANNOUNCE 2023 TRAINING CAMP ROSTER|url=https://wisconsin.gleague.nba.com/news/wisconsin-herd-announce-2023-training-camp-roster|website=NBA.com|date=30 October 2023|access-date=23 January 2024}}{{cite web|first=Jim|last=Owczarski|title=Drew Timme, Alex Antetokounmpo, Glenn Robinson III headline the Wisconsin Herd camp roster|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2023/10/30/wisconsin-herd-training-camp-roster-drew-timme-alex-antetokounmpo-glenn-robinson-iii/71382175007/|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=30 October 2023|access-date=30 October 2023}} On 8 February 2024, he was waived by the Herd.{{cite web|title=2023-2024 Wisconsin Herd Transaction History|url=https://basketball.realgm.com/gleague/teams/Wisconsin-Herd/50/Transaction_History/2024|website=RealGM.com|access-date=10 February 2024}}
=Mažeikiai (2024)=
On 13 February 2024, Antetokounmpo signed with M Basket-Delamode Mažeikiai of the Lithuanian Basketball League.{{cite web|title=A. Antetokounmpo iš NBA G lygos keliasi į Mažeikius|url=https://www.mbasket.lt/aantetokounmpo|website=MBasket.lt|date=13 February 2024|access-date=15 February 2024|language=Lithuanian}}
=Podgorica (2024)=
In August 2024, Antetokounmpo signed with Podgorica of the Prva A Liga and the ABA League 2,{{Cite web |title=Aleks Adetokunbo potpisao za Podgoricu |url=https://www.vijesti.me/sport/kosarka/720251/aleks-adetokunbo-potpisao-za-podgoricu |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=vijesti.me |language=sr}} eventually playing only five games for the Montenegrin club.[https://en.vijesti.me/sports-e/basketball/729484/adetokunbo-left-podgorica-and-moved-to-paok Adetokunbo left Podgorica, moved to PAOK]
=PAOK (2024–present)=
On October 22, 2024, he signed with PAOK Thessaloniki of the Greek Basketball League (GBL).{{cite web |title=Alex Antetokounmpo signs with PAOK in Greece |url=https://www.eurohoops.net/en/fiba/fiba-europe-cup-en/1731907/alex-antetokounmpo-signs-with-paok-in-greece/ |website=Eurohoops |access-date=22 October 2024 |language=en |date=22 October 2024}}
Personal life
File:Antetokounmpo Brothers (cropped).jpg]]
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2013/09/26/226268651/nbas-g-bo-wants-to-bring-hope-to-greece-and-to-milwaukee|title=NBA Rookie Wants To Bring Hope To Greece, And To Milwaukee|work=NPR.com|date=26 September 2013|accessdate=9 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423082144/http://www.npr.org/2013/09/26/226268651/nbas-g-bo-wants-to-bring-hope-to-greece-and-to-milwaukee|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=live}} In September 2021, Alex along with his mother were granted honorary Greek citizenship from the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.{{Cite web |last= |title=Giannis Antetokounmpo's mother and brother granted honorary Greek citizenship {{!}} eKathimerini.com |url=https://www.ekathimerini.com/news/1168010/giannis-antetokounmpo-s-mother-and-brother-granted-honorary-greek-citizenship/ |access-date=17 September 2021 |website=www.ekathimerini.com |language=English}}
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.{{cite tweet |author=Major League Soccer |author-link=Major League Soccer |user=MLS |number=1631295244565204993 |date=2 March 2023 |title=Filip Forsberg 🏒 Giannis 🏀 Thanasis 🏀 Kostas 🏀 Alex 🏀 All joining the @NashvilleSC ownership group. Welcome to MLS! https://t.co/FI1tnWb36Y |language=en |access-date=12 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230302154219/https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1631295244565204993 |archive-date=2 March 2023 |url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Antetokounmpo, Alex}}
Category:Basketball players from Athens
Category:Naturalized citizens of Nigeria
Category:Greek expatriate basketball people in Canada
Category:Greek expatriate basketball people in Spain
Category:Greek expatriate basketball people in the United States
Category:Greek men's basketball players
Category:Greek people of Igbo descent
Category:Greek people of Nigerian descent
Category:Greek people of Yoruba descent
Category:Greek emigrants to the United States
Category:Naturalized citizens of Greece
Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States