Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ superstar and two-time NBA MVP, is known for his athleticism and rim-rattling dunks. However, a recent $100,000 MrBeast shooting challenge pitted him against street ball sensation and YouTube star Tristan Jass, and the results were shocking. The challenge highlighted critical weaknesses in Giannis’ game that have long been debated by fans and analysts.

The Challenge Setup

The MrBeast challenge was a head-to-head shooting competition designed to test precision under pressure. The tasks included:

• Free throws: A test of consistency from the charity stripe.
• Three-pointers: A measure of long-range shooting ability.
• Half-court shots: A high-risk, high-reward challenge requiring both skill and a bit of luck.

Tristan Jass, a content creator with a massive following for his streetball highlights and deadly shooting, was a formidable opponent. While Giannis is a global basketball icon, Jass’s specialized skill set in shooting made this a tougher matchup than it might have seemed. The $100,000 prize added pressure, and as X user @____Shemar noted, “No way Mr. Beast possibly thought Giannis was making a FT, 3 pointer, and half court shot before Tjass … easiest $100k Tjass ever made 😂”.

1. Free-Throw Shooting Woes

The free-throw portion of the challenge was a predictable stumbling block for Giannis. His career free-throw percentage hovers around 65-70%, with a 2024-25 season average of approximately 68%. In high-pressure situations, his performance at the line often dips further, as seen in playoff games where opponents employ a “Hack-a-Giannis” strategy to exploit this weakness.

In the MrBeast challenge, Giannis struggled to find a rhythm, missing several free throws in a row. His lengthy free-throw routine—often taking 10+ seconds—may have been disrupted by the fast-paced, high-stakes environment of the challenge. Fans remarked on the predictability of this outcome, with @Lester_O3 noting that someone won $100,000 by outshooting Giannis. Jass, known for his consistency in shooting drills, likely capitalised on this, hitting his free throws with ease.

Giannis’ free-throw struggles stem from mechanical issues (a hitch in his release and inconsistent wrist snap) and mental pressure. In the challenge, the added spotlight of a MrBeast production, with cameras and a live audience, likely amplified his tendency to overthink at the line.

Takeaway: Giannis needs to streamline his free-throw routine and practice under pressure to boost his consistency. Hitting 75-80% from the line would not only have helped in this challenge but could deter opponents from fouling him intentionally in NBA games. He is in fact worse than ever in his career in free throws this season!

2. Inconsistent Three-Point Shooting

The three-point shooting segment was another area where Giannis fell short. His NBA three-point percentage in the 2024-25 season is around 20-25% on low volume (1-2 attempts per game), a far cry from Jass’s sharpshooting prowess. Jass, who regularly showcases deep threes and trick shots on YouTube, thrives in these scenarios, while Giannis’ jump shot remains a work in progress.

In the challenge, Giannis reportedly missed most of his three-point attempts, unable to match Jass’s precision. His shooting form—marked by a slow release and occasional inconsistency in footwork—makes long-range shooting a liability. NBA defenses often sag off Giannis, daring him to shoot from deep, as seen in playoff series like the 2023 loss to the Miami Heat, where his 1-for-10 three-point shooting in the series was a glaring weakness.

The MrBeast challenge exposed this gap starkly. While Giannis relies on his athleticism to dominate inside, Jass’s specialized shooting skill set gave him a clear edge in a contest focused on perimeter accuracy.

Takeaway: Giannis would benefit from dedicated three-point training to reach at least a league-average 35% from deep. This would force defenses to respect his range, opening up his drives to the basket and making him a more complete offensive threat. Three points this season he not only shot worse than ever in his career but almost worse than anyone, ever, in NBA history for a single season!

3. Half-Court Shot Struggles

The half-court shot portion of the challenge was the final nail in the coffin. Half-court shots are inherently low-percentage, relying on a mix of skill, luck, and confidence. Jass, with his reputation for hitting long-range bombs in his videos, likely approached this with a shooter’s mentality. Giannis, on the other hand, rarely attempts such shots in NBA games, and his mechanics from that distance are unrefined.

Giannis’ attempts fell short or missed wide, while Jass connected to seal the victory.

Takeaway: While half-court shots are a niche skill, improving his overall shooting mechanics could give Giannis a better chance in such scenarios. Practising long-range shots in low-stakes settings might also build confidence for rare game situations. But if anything Giannis is worse than ever in clutch situations which is why Doc Rivers now keeps him out of the game in the 4th quarter as much as possible. We saw against the Pacers how terrible he can be for his team under pressure.

4. Pressure in Non-NBA Settings

Beyond specific skills, the challenge highlighted Giannis’ discomfort in non-traditional basketball settings. NBA games allow him to leverage his physicality, defensive prowess, and transition dominance, but the MrBeast challenge was a pure shooting contest with no room for his usual strengths. The high-pressure environment, with a $100,000 prize and a YouTube audience, may have thrown Giannis off his game, as he’s accustomed to structured NBA settings rather than impromptu streetball-style competitions.

Jass, a content creator who thrives in these viral, high-energy formats, was in his element. Giannis’ struggles suggest that his mental focus, while elite in NBA contexts, may not translate as well to unconventional challenges where his athletic advantages are neutralized.

Takeaway: Giannis could benefit from participating in more casual, high-pressure shooting contests to build adaptability. This would also help him handle the mental demands of clutch shooting moments in playoff games. Most of all though the NBA is about the show. And Giannis simply doesn’t deliver which is why he doesn’t bring in TV ratings.

What This Means for Giannis

The MrBeast challenge underscores areas where he lags behind specialists like Jass and, by extension, NBA sharpshooters in the league. To elevate his game, Giannis could:

• Work with a shooting coach to refine his free-throw and three-point mechanics, aiming for incremental improvements (e.g., 75% free throws, 35% threes).
• Practice under pressure in non-NBA settings to build mental resilience for high-stakes shooting.
• Study film of sharpshooters to adopt techniques that complement his physical gifts.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s loss to Tristan Jass in MrBeast’s $100,000 shooting challenge was a revealing moment. It exposed his well-known struggles with free throws, three-point shooting, and long-range accuracy, amplified by the pressure of a viral, high-stakes competition. For fans, the challenge was a fun spectacle that pitted an NBA giant against a street ball sharpshooter. For Giannis, it’s a wake-up call to address weaknesses that could make the difference in future playoff runs. As he continues past his prime now at age 30, the Greek Freak has the work ethic and drive. But can he turn these flaws into strengths? After more than a decade in the league and with so many different coaches that have tried to help him, the answer is probably no.