Alex Antetokounmpo
Alexandros Emeka Antetokounmpo (Greek: Αλέξανδρος Αντετοκούνμπο; born August 26, 2001) is a Greek professional basketball player for the UCAM Murcia of the Spanish Liga ACB. Listed at 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and 214 pounds (97 kg), he plays the small forward position. He competed for Dominican High School in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. He is the youngest brother of NBA players Giannis, Thanasis, and Kostas.
| No. 29 – UCAM Murcia | |
|---|---|
| Position | Small forward |
| League | Liga ACB |
| Personal information | |
| Born | 26 August 2001 Athens, Greece |
| Nationality | Greek/Nigerian |
| Listed height | 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
| Listed weight | 214 lb (97 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Dominican (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin) |
| Playing career | 2020–present |
| Career history | |
| 2020–present | UCAM Murcia |
| 2020–present | →UCAM Murcia B |
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 Greek citizenship in 2016.[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 12.7 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
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]
Personal life
Three of his older brothers, Giannis, Thanasis and Kostas, play basketball professionally. Giannis and Thanasis play for the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis was named NBA Most Valuable Player in 2019 and 2020. Kostas plays for the Los Angeles Lakers & won an NBA title in 2020. Antetokounmpo's father and his oldest brother, Francis, played football in Nigeria. His mother was a high jumper.[9]
References
- gazzetta.gr Η χαλασμένη καφετιέρα (in Greek).
- matrix24.gr Βγάζει ελληνικό διαβατήριο ο Κώστας Αντετοκούνμπο (in Greek).
- Fader, Mirin (18 July 2019). "The Rise of the Next Antetokounmpo". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
- 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.
- "Giannis Antetokounmpo's brother Alex to skip college, play in Europe". ESPN. 10 May 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- Schuster, Blake (9 May 2020). "Giannis' Brother Alex Says He Plans to Play in Europe After Graduating HS". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- "El UCAM Murcia ficha a Alex Antetokounmpo" (in Spanish). UCAM Murcia CB. 22 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- "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.
- "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.