Giannis Antetokounmpo’s rise from a lanky teenager hawking goods on the streets of Athens to an NBA superstar is nothing short of a fairy tale. Known as the “Greek Freak” for his extraordinary blend of size, speed, and skill, Giannis has amassed a collection of accolades. Let’s dive into the full scope of his achievements, both in the NBA and beyond.
Early Beginnings and the Path to Stardom
Born on December 6, 1994, to Nigerian immigrant parents in Athens, Greece, Giannis Sina Ugo Antetokounmpo grew up in humble circumstances. His basketball journey began with the youth teams of Filathlitikos in Athens, and by 2011, he was playing for their senior team in Greece’s semi-pro leagues. In 2013, the Milwaukee Bucks took a chance on the relatively unknown 18-year-old, selecting him 15th overall in the NBA Draft. What followed was a meteoric rise that few could have predicted.
Giannis didn’t burst onto the scene with immediate accolades, but his potential was evident. His rookie season earned him a spot on the 2013-14 NBA All-Rookie Second Team, a modest but promising start for a player who would soon dominate the league.
Breaking Out: Most Improved Player and All-Star Status
The 2016-17 season marked Giannis’s arrival as a star. Averaging 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game, he showcased his all-around brilliance. This breakout campaign earned him the NBA Most Improved Player Award, recognizing his leap from a raw talent to a cornerstone for the Bucks. That same year, he made his first of many NBA All-Star Game appearances, becoming the youngest Bucks player ever to start in the prestigious event.
Giannis’s statistical dominance in 2016-17 was historic: he became the first player in NBA history to finish a regular season in the top 20 in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. This versatility laid the foundation for the accolades to come.
Back-to-Back MVP Seasons
Giannis’s ascent continued with two consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in 2018-19 and 2019-20. In 2018-19, he averaged 27.7 points, 12.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game, leading the Bucks to a league-best 60-22 record. His combination of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking made him a unanimous choice for the MVP.
The following season, 2019-20, Giannis upped the ante with 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game, all while playing just 30.4 minutes per night due to the Bucks’ dominance. He joined an elite group of players—legends like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, and Michael Jordan—as a multi-time MVP before age 30. These seasons also saw him earn All-NBA First Team honors, cementing his status as one of the league’s premier talents.
Defensive Dominance: DPOY and All-Defense Selections
Giannis isn’t just an offensive juggernaut; he’s a defensive force. In 2019-20, he was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), becoming only the third player in history (after Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon) to win both MVP and DPOY in the same season. His 7-foot-3 wingspan, agility, and instincts allowed him to guard multiple positions and anchor Milwaukee’s defense.
His defensive prowess has been recognized repeatedly with All-Defensive Team selections: four times on the All-Defensive First Team (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22) and once on the All-Defensive Second Team (2016-17). By March 2025, Giannis has five total All-Defensive nods, a number that underscores his two-way impact.
The Pinnacle: NBA Championship and Finals MVP
The 2020-21 season was Giannis’s crowning achievement. After years of playoff disappointments, he led the Bucks to their first NBA Championship since 1971, defeating the Phoenix Suns in six games. His performance in the Finals was legendary, averaging 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game on 61.8% shooting. In the decisive Game 6, he dropped 50 points, including 17-of-19 from the free-throw line, to seal the title.
For his heroics, Giannis was named NBA Finals MVP, joining an elite group as only the second European-born player (after Dirk Nowitzki) to win the award. At 26, he was also the second-youngest Finals MVP in history, trailing only Kawhi Leonard.
All-Star Game MVP
In 2021, Giannis added another jewel to his crown: the NBA All-Star Game MVP. During the game in Atlanta, he went a perfect 16-for-16 from the field, scoring 35 points to lead Team LeBron to victory. It was a rare moment of individual brilliance in an exhibition setting, further showcasing his dominance.
As of March 2025, Giannis has been selected to the NBA All-Star Game eight times (2017-2023, plus an assumed selection for 2025 based on his trajectory), starting in most of them. His All-NBA honors total eight as well, with six All-NBA First Team selections (2018-19 through 2023-24) and two All-NBA Second Team nods (2016-17, 2017-18).
NBA Cup Triumphs
The in-season NBA Cup, introduced in 2023, has quickly become another stage for Giannis to shine. In 2024, he led the Bucks to the NBA Cup Championship, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in the final. His triple-double (26 points, 19 rebounds, 10 assists) earned him the NBA Cup MVP, adding to his growing list of postseason accolades. He was also named to the All-NBA Cup Team in both 2023 and 2024, making him the first player to achieve this honor twice.
International Achievements
Giannis’s impact extends beyond the NBA. Representing Greece, he was the EuroBasket Scoring Champion in 2022, averaging 29.3 points per game. In 2024, he led Greece to qualify for the Paris Olympics, earning the Olympic Qualifiers Player of the Tournament award. That same year, he was chosen as Greece’s flag bearer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games alongside race walker Antigoni Drisbioti—an honor reflecting his status as a national icon.
Milestones and Historical Recognition
Giannis’s career is dotted with remarkable milestones. In March 2025, he surpassed 20,000 career points, making him the Bucks’ all-time leader in points, rebounds, assists, and blocks. He’s the only player in NBA history to average at least 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal per game across multiple seasons. His name also graces the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, announced in 2021, placing him among the 75 greatest players in league history at just 26 years old.
The Full List of Accolades (as of March 11, 2025)
Here’s the comprehensive rundown of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s accolades:
- NBA Championship: 1 (2021)
- NBA Finals MVP: 1 (2021)
- NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP): 2 (2018-19, 2019-20)
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY): 1 (2019-20)
- NBA Most Improved Player (MIP): 1 (2016-17)
- NBA All-Star Game MVP: 1 (2021)
- NBA All-Star: 8 (2017-2023, 2025 assumed)
- All-NBA First Team: 6 (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24)
- All-NBA Second Team: 2 (2016-17, 2017-18)
- All-Defensive First Team: 4 (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22)
- All-Defensive Second Team: 1 (2016-17)
- NBA All-Rookie Second Team: 1 (2013-14)
- NBA Cup Championship: 1 (2024)
- NBA Cup MVP: 1 (2024)
- All-NBA Cup Team: 2 (2023, 2024)
- NBA 75th Anniversary Team: 1 (2021)
- EuroBasket Scoring Champion: 1 (2022)
- Olympic Qualifiers Player of the Tournament: 1 (2024)
- Greek Olympic Flag Bearer: Paris 2024
What’s Next for the Greek Freak?
At 30 years old, Giannis has plenty of basketball ahead. He’s already achieved nearly every major individual and team honour the NBA offers, save for Sixth Man of the Year (unlikely given his star status) and Rookie of the Year (missed in 2013-14). Another championship, additional MVPs, or even an Olympic medal with Greece would further elevate his legacy. Unfortunately as you can see from the dates of the accolades, his prime is well past him. New players are much better at , well, everything and Giannis’ way of playing, his run and dunk by the rim seems more and more dated. Sure it works against lesser teams in the regular season but not when it counts.
Giannis’s journey—from a street vendor in Sepolia to a global superstar—resonates far beyond the stat sheet. As the Bucks’ all-time leader in multiple categories, he’s already a franchise legend. The “Greek Freak” would like to keep adding to this already staggering list.
Shame it doesn’t look like that is happening.
